CZ Bren 2s Begin Assembly in Ukraine

An effort between the Ukrainian defense industry and CZ has yielded results as the first Ukraine-assembled Bren 2 rifles are being delivered.

Ukroboronprom, the state-owned Ukrainian defense production organ, announced on Dec. 14 that one of its enterprises had last month begun the licensed assembly of Bren 2 rifles in the country. The partnership between Colt CZ and Ukroboronprom was agreed upon in July, allowing local assembly of components shipped from CZ, leading to eventual full-rate production.

Since 2022, the country has been fielding Czech-made Brens, notably among special operations units and legions of foreign volunteers.

An update to the CZ 805 series modular rifle that was introduced in 2015, the Bren 2 is offered in either 5.56 NATO or 7.62x39mm, and can be converted back and forth. There is also an option for a "heavy" Bren chambered in 7.62 NATO. Constructed with an aluminum alloy upper receiver and polymer lower grip housing, it features a folding/adjustable or telescoping stock and ambidextrous surface controls as well as a three-stage gas regulator.

Bren 2 variants — The Bren 2 is modular and can accommodate at least three different calibers across short, mid-length, and DMR-length options. (Photos: CZ)

In recent years, CZ has expanded production east towards Ukraine, establishing concerns in Hungary and Romania.

When Ukraine broke away from the corpse of the USSR in 1991, the country found itself with Soviet-era small arms in bulk, including various 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 caliber Kalashnikov models as well as warehouses of second-line equipment dating back to World War II. Subsequent administrations sold off or destroyed much of this ballistic inheritance. However, after the start of the long-simmering Russo-Ukrainian War in early 2014 over the Crimea and the Donbas region, the country has sought to rearm and purchased AK variants from diverse sources, ultimately pivoting towards more Western-style weapons in 5.56 and 7.62 NATO – a move that led to Ukrainian made M4s and Tavors.

Following the outright full-scale Russian invasion of the country in 2022, donated arms from the U.S – which has transferred over $61.4 billion worth of munitions under the Biden administration – and NATO countries saw a hodgepodge of everything from Canadian C7s, French FAMAS, and Belgian FN FNCs, to German HK 416s, Polish FB MSBS Grots, and American M4s.

Ukraine weapons — The Ukraine military, since it was formed in 1991, has traditionally used Warsaw Pact pattern small arms (left) to include multiple AK-47/74 variants in 7.62x39 and 5.45x39, while some units, such as the Rubizh Brigade in the top right, are issued assorted M4 platforms in 5.56. The CZ Bren 2, seen in use with Ukraine marines at the bottom right, is a newer addition. (Photos: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine)

In 2019, CZ debuted 922R-compliant sporting variants of the Bren 2 to the U.S. consumer market.

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