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Czech defence group CSG's profits leap as Ukraine war stimulates need

Czechoslovak Group (CSG). more than doubled core earnings in 2023 and projection continued. strong need for its heavy military devices and largecaliber. ammunition as nations increase defence costs amidst war in. Ukraine and elsewhere.

Considering that Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the. Czech defence and industrial producer has raised. large-caliber ammunition production several-fold.

We are really facing high need, CSG Chief Financial. Workplace Zdenek Jurak said on Wednesday.

Even if combating in Ukraine were to stop, CSG stated. re-stocking by NATO members, which have assisted arm Ukraine,. would drive development.

CSG's profits before interest, tax and amortisation. ( EBITDA) jumped by 130% to 439 million euros ($ 476 million) in. 2023, on earnings up 71% to 1.73 billion euros. Net earnings increased. 49% to 210 million euros.

The business, which uses more than 10,000 at 37 websites in. Europe and the United States, said defence represented more. than 70% of its income.

Owned by Czech billionaire business person Michal Strnad, 31,. CSG has actually been investing in ammunition production at its plants in. Slovakia and Spain. It intends to more than double production of. high-caliber ammo this year, it stated.

CSG also makes self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket. launcher trucks and other heavy devices, and has actually upgraded. Soviet-era tanks and infantry battling vehicles for shipments to. Ukraine.

The firm stated its Excalibur Army system, that makes and. upgrades heavy military equipment, included 400 tasks last year,. while the workforce at its weapons ammunitions department MSM. Group had actually almost doubled in the past 18 months.

The company is also in the procedure of a $1.91 billion. all-cash acquisition of the Sporting Products department of. U.S.-based Vista Outdoor, because renamed Kinetic Group,. which includes its weapons and ammo production business.

Apart from military sales, CSG in 2015 fully integrated. Fiocchi Munizioni, a maker of small-caliber ammunition, mostly. for civilian usage, which it obtained in 2022.

CSG's aerospace company, which includes radar and security. systems and airplane servicing, also grew.

(source: Reuters)