Ukraine begins local assembly of Czech Sicz carbines
The Ukrainians have announced the start of assembling the Czech CZ-806 BREN-2 carbines. Praised by defenders, this design is the main competitor to the Polish Grot.
Ukroboronprom boasted about starting the licensed assembly of CZ-806 BREN-2 carbines in November 2024, under an agreement signed on July 16, 2024. This is the first stage, as over time, the entire production process of CZ-806 BREN-2 carbines is to be transferred to Ukraine. They will be known there under the brand "Sicz".
This cooperation is not surprising since the Czechs have been among the countries most strongly supporting Ukraine for years. Moreover, the Czech industry has been expanding there for many years, as seen in examples such as the "Bogdana" howitzer or the "Burewij" system. In addition to the licensed production of carbines, the Czechs also plan to establish an ammunition factory in Ukraine (by the company Sellier & Bellot).
Regional competitor for the Polish Grot
The CZ-806 BREN-2 carbines, first presented in 2015, are a deeply redesigned version of the CZ 805 BREN from 2009. Their purpose was to provide the Czechs with a modern, modular weapon as a replacement for the outdated, post-Soviet vz.58 carbines used since the 1950s.
The CZ 805 BREN carbine was designed under the clear influence of the Belgian FN SCAR-L, as seen in the use of modern materials, such as polymers and aluminum, and a gas system with a short stroke and a bolt locked by rotation. Despite these features, the CZ 805 BREN faced criticism for being too heavy (8 lbs) and lacking innovation compared to the SCAR.
In response to these criticisms, Czech engineers from Česká zbrojovka (CZUB) made fundamental design changes, reducing the carbine's weight to 7 lbs in the version with a 14-inch barrel. Thanks to its modular design, it is also easy to exchange the barrel and adapt the weapon to different calibers, a characteristic feature of competitors such as the Polish Grot.
Main features of the Czech carbine
The CZ-806 BREN-2 carbine stands out for its ergonomics, allowing comfortable use for both right- and left-handed shooters. It is equipped with a folding stock with length adjustment, and the charging handle remains stationary during firing, a feature the Belgians introduced in the SCAR-L model only in the MK2 version. The carbine is fed with magazines compatible with the widely used, though unofficial, STANAG 4179 standard.
It's worth noting that this is already an old variant because in the second half of 2024, the Czechs unveiled the CZ-806 BREN-3 version. This features, among other things, a thicker barrel and reinforced construction, which increased the weapon's weight to 7 lbs.
