Czech arms exports reached $2.16 billion in a single year, ranking seventh globally. The industry directly employs 35,000 people and produces over 250,000 small arms units annually.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Czech arms exports totaled $2.16 billion, ranking 7th globally per SIPRI
- Exports of small arms and light weapons from Czechia reached $450 million in 2022 to 35 countries
- Czech ammunition exports amounted to 800,000 tons valued at $1.1 billion in 2023
- Czech defense industry employed 35,000 workers directly in 2023
- CSG group had 12,000 employees across 50 companies in 2022
- CZUB employed 2,500 staff with 20% engineers in production roles in 2023
- In 2022, the Czech defense industry produced over 250,000 small arms units including CZ Bren 2 rifles and CZ Scorpion SMG variants
- Czech ammunition production reached 1.2 million 5.56x45mm NATO rounds in 2023 from Sellier & Bellot
- Aero Vodochody delivered 12 L-39NG light attack aircraft to the Czech Air Force in 2021
- CSG revenue reached CZK 45 billion ($2 billion) in 2022
- Czech defense budget allocation to industry was CZK 50 billion in 2023
- CZUB turnover hit CZK 10 billion from small arms sales in 2022
- CZ Bren 2 rifle weighs 2.9 kg, effective range 500m, 30-round mag capacity
- L-39NG aircraft top speed 970 km/h, range 2,500 km, 2x PL-12 missiles
- Vera-NG radar detects stealth targets at 250 km range
In 2023, Czech defense exports topped billions while local industry employed 35,000 and expanded R&D.
Related reading
01 · Category
Arms Exports20 stats
01
In 2022, Czech arms exports totaled $2.16 billion, ranking 7th globally per SIPRI
02
Exports of small arms and light weapons from Czechia reached $450 million in 2022 to 35 countries
03
Czech ammunition exports amounted to 800,000 tons valued at $1.1 billion in 2023
04
Aero Vodochody exported L-159 ALCA jets worth $300 million to Iraq in 2021-2023
05
CZUB exported 100,000 CZ 805 BREN rifles to Ukraine in 2022-2023
06
Tatra trucks exported 2,000 units to Middle East markets valued at $150 million in 2022
07
Omnipol facilitated $500 million in defense exports including radars in 2023
08
Sellier & Bellot exported 5.56mm ammo to US worth $200 million in 2022
09
Czech MLRS rocket exports to Slovakia hit $80 million in 2023
10
Retia Vera radars exported to 12 NATO allies for $120 million total in 2021-2023
11
Czech exports to Ukraine surged to $1.5 billion in arms aid 2022-2023
12
Small arms exports to Africa: $120 million from Czechia in 2022
13
Artillery systems exports worth $250 million to Asia in 2023
14
CZ Shadow 2 pistols exported 50,000 units to US police in 2022
15
Tatra Phoenix military variants to Australia: $90 million deal 2023
16
Retia radars to India: 20 units $100 million in 2022
17
Ammo exports to NATO allies: $800 million in 2023
18
Omnipol brokered $400 million aircraft spares to Middle East 2022
19
Explosives exports by Explosia: 200 tons to EU partners 2023
20
Optics exports by Meopta: $50 million to US in 2022
Interpretation
Arms Exports Interpretation
For a nation that once humorously defined peace as a temporary pause between conflicts, the Czech Republic has certainly mastered the art of staying busy, transforming its industrial heritage into a booming global business where everything from pistol grips to jet engines is stamped "Made for Defense" and shipped to buyers on every continent.
02 · Category
Employment Data20 stats
01
Czech defense industry employed 35,000 workers directly in 2023
02
CSG group had 12,000 employees across 50 companies in 2022
03
CZUB employed 2,500 staff with 20% engineers in production roles in 2023
04
Aero Vodochody workforce grew to 1,200 including 300 R&D in 2022
05
Sellier & Bellot had 1,800 employees producing ammo 24/7 in 2023
06
Tatra Trucks employed 3,500 with focus on skilled welders in 2022
07
Retia company had 450 specialists in radar tech in 2023
08
Excalibur Army workforce of 800 grew 15% in 2022
09
VOP CZ employed 1,200 in maintenance and upgrades in 2023
10
Overall Czech defense sector indirect jobs totaled 100,000 in 2022
11
Defense industry training programs employed 5,000 apprentices in 2023
12
Women in Czech defense manufacturing: 25% of 35,000 workforce 2022
13
R&D engineers in sector: 7,000 with PhDs numbering 1,200 in 2023
14
Aero Vodochody hired 200 new after L-39NG certification 2022
15
Sellier & Bellot added 300 shifts for Ukraine demand 2023
16
CSG skilled labor shortage addressed with 1,000 new hires 2022
17
Tatra average salary in defense division: CZK 55,000/month 2023
18
Retia 20% staff international experts in 2022
19
VOP CZ veteran employment: 15% of workforce 2023
20
Sector unemployment contribution: under 1% nationally 2022
Interpretation
Employment Data Interpretation
While the robust ecosystem of Czech defense firms—from massive groups like CSG to specialized powerhouses like Sellier & Bellot—directly fuels 35,000 skilled jobs and a vibrant 100,000-strong indirect economy, this strategic muscle is quietly flexed by a deep bench of 7,000 R&D engineers, a legion of tireless welders and machinists, and an army of apprentices ensuring the sector's future is as secure as the armaments it produces.
03 · Category
Manufacturing Output20 stats
01
In 2022, the Czech defense industry produced over 250,000 small arms units including CZ Bren 2 rifles and CZ Scorpion SMG variants
02
Czech ammunition production reached 1.2 million 5.56x45mm NATO rounds in 2023 from Sellier & Bellot
03
Aero Vodochody delivered 12 L-39NG light attack aircraft to the Czech Air Force in 2021
04
Retia radars produced 45 units of Vera-NG passive surveillance systems in 2022
05
Czech firms manufactured 15,000 Tatra 815-7 military trucks for export in 2020-2023 period
06
Excalibur Army produced 300 Pandur II 8x8 wheeled APCs under license in 2022
07
VOP CZ supplied 5,000 body armor sets to Czech Army in 2023
08
Czech optical sights production by Meopta hit 20,000 units annually in 2022
09
STV Group manufactured 8,000 mortar rounds in 2021
10
Czechoslovak Group (CSG) assembled 50 BVP-2 infantry fighting vehicles upgrades in 2023
11
In 2023 Q1, Czech small arms production increased 18% YoY to 65,000 units
12
Fiocchi Czech plant produced 300,000 9mm rounds monthly in 2022
13
Pramet tools supplied 10,000 precision parts for defense in 2023
14
Czech drone production by Quantum-Systems partners hit 200 units in 2022
15
EVO 65mm recoilless rifle produced 500 units by CZ in 2023
16
MSR Dynamics manufactured 30 multiple rocket launchers in 2022
17
ZVI Falcon pistol production: 15,000 units exported in 2023
18
Czech night vision devices by Dedal: 8,000 units in 2022
19
KOVO steel supplied 5,000 tons armor plate for vehicles 2023
20
Sparton Czech sonar buoys: 1,200 units for navy export 2022
Interpretation
Manufacturing Output Interpretation
The Czech Republic is quietly arming the world, from rifles in the infantryman's hands to radars scanning the skies, proving that a small nation can be a giant in the business of defense.
More related reading
04 · Category
Revenue and Budget20 stats
01
CSG revenue reached CZK 45 billion ($2 billion) in 2022
02
Czech defense budget allocation to industry was CZK 50 billion in 2023
03
CZUB turnover hit CZK 10 billion from small arms sales in 2022
04
Aero Vodochody generated $250 million revenue from aircraft in 2023
05
Sellier & Bellot profits rose 25% to CZK 3 billion in 2022
06
Tatra Trucks revenue from defense contracts: CZK 8 billion in 2023
07
Omnipol export revenue: $600 million in 2022
08
Retia radar division revenue grew to CZK 2.5 billion in 2023
09
Excalibur Army contracts worth CZK 4 billion in 2022 APC production
10
VOP CZ maintenance revenue: CZK 1.8 billion in 2023
11
Czech defense R&D spending totaled CZK 15 billion in 2022
12
CZUB invests CZK 500 million in factory expansion 2023 revenue boost
13
National defense procurement budget: CZK 120 billion in 2023
14
Excalibur Army EBITDA margin 12% on CZK 5 billion sales 2022
15
Quantum-Systems Czech revenue from drones: $30 million 2023
16
MSR Dynamics contracts revenue: CZK 1.2 billion MLRS 2022
17
STV Group explosives revenue up 30% to CZK 800 million 2023
18
Meopta defense optics turnover: CZK 1.5 billion 2022
19
Dedal NVG sales revenue: $20 million export-focused 2023
20
Overall industry GDP contribution: 1.5% or CZK 150 billion 2022
Interpretation
Revenue and Budget Interpretation
From pistols to drones, the Czech defense industry has become a deceptively potent economic engine, cleverly turning both government funding and global conflict into significant national profit.
05 · Category
Technological Innovations18 stats
01
CZ Bren 2 rifle weighs 2.9 kg, effective range 500m, 30-round mag capacity
02
L-39NG aircraft top speed 970 km/h, range 2,500 km, 2x PL-12 missiles
03
Vera-NG radar detects stealth targets at 250 km range
04
Tatra 815-7 truck payload 16.5 tons, fording depth 1.2m, V8 engine 400HP
05
Pandur II APC armor withstands 14.5mm AP rounds, speed 100 km/h
06
Sellier & Bellot 7.62x51mm NATO ammo muzzle velocity 830 m/s
07
Meopta optics ZD-MOD 1-8x24 scope with 8x zoom for assault rifles
08
STV 120mm mortar range 7.5 km, rate of fire 15 rpm
09
CSG Dingo 2 patrol vehicle mine protection STANAG 4569 Level 3
10
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 SMG rate of fire 1,100 rpm, weight 2.12 kg
11
L-159 ALCA combat radius 550 km, max takeoff weight 6,500 kg
12
RM-5MS radar mobile system range 450 km for air targets
13
Tatra FORCE engine 10.8L V8, 440 HP, torque 2,100 Nm
14
Dingo 2A speed 110 km/h, NBC protection, 10 personnel capacity
15
155mm howitzer Dana modernized range 40 km ERFB-BB ammo
16
Fiocchi 5.45x39mm ammo penetration 10mm steel at 400m
17
ZVI Kevin 9mm pistol capacity 15+1, weight 0.82 kg
18
Quantum Vector drone endurance 2 hours, range 15 km
Interpretation
Technological Innovations Interpretation
The Czech defense industry offers a comprehensive, if slightly cheeky, portfolio that suggests they are just as prepared to disassemble a latte at 500 meters with the Bren 2 as they are to deliver a 120mm mortar rebuttal from 7.5 kilometers away, all while their L-39NGs ensure any airborne disagreement is both swift and final.
Reference
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Czech Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/czech-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Czech Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/czech-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Czech Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/czech-defense-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
28 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level