American Arms

Protecting the independence of American industries

J. D. Vance warns against the sale of Vista Outdoor

This article published by the Czech FORBES magazine reports on a formal intervention by U.S. Senator J. D. Vance, who urged the Treasury Department to block the sale of Vista Outdoor’s ammunition business to CSG. The piece centers on a core controversy surrounding CSG and its owner Michal Strnad: repeated allegations of ties to the Kremlin and a “disturbing history” of conduct seen as incompatible with U.S. national security interests. Vance cites claims ranging from cooperation with Russian-linked entities and sponsorship of events in Moscow to alleged industrial espionage and violations of arms embargoes, arguing that the transaction risks placing critical American weapons production in the hands of a company connected to hostile actors.

Source: https://forbes.cz/bezpecnost-predevsim-americky-senator-nesouhlasi-s-prodejem-visty-do-rukou-csg/

Safety first? US senator opposes sale of Vista to CSG

In an open letter addressed to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, US Senator James David (J. D.) Vance highlights the security risks associated with the sale of American ammunition manufacturer Vista to the Czechoslovak Group. The senator’s main concern is the alleged connections between Michal Strnad‘s group and the Kremlin.

“Czechoslovak Group has a long history of illegal activity and well-documented ties to American enemies. This transaction poses demonstrable risks to our national security,” J. D. Vance writes in the letter.

The acquisition was agreed upon by both parties last fall, despite interest from another Czech arms group, Colt CZ, which in the end was unsuccessful in its bid.

Renowned American shooting brands such as Remington, Federal, CCI, Speer, Alliant Powder, Estate Cartridge, and Hevi-Shot are to fall under the management of the domestic conglomerate. The value of the transaction reached $1.91 billion, or CZK 42.5 billion, which was a record transaction for the group to date.

“The danger posed by the sale is not due to the size of the transaction or market consolidation. CSG has a long and disturbing history that should raise national security concerns, particularly because of its alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle,” the senator writes.

The letter further claims that CSG sponsored an exhibition in Moscow designed to help Russian authorities secure European military technology and collaborated with prominent Russian organizations linked to Putin’s regime.

He also pointed to a recent lawsuit against CSG for its alleged ties to Russian interests, which will be heard by a Delaware court. In addition, American experts and journalists have repeatedly warned about the reckless sale of weapons and accusations against CSG of industrial espionage. The senator also mentioned espionage against the Slovak army and violations of the arms embargo against Azerbaijan.

At the end of his letter, he mentioned the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act to ensure that foreign companies do not gain undue influence over industries that are important to US national security. According to him, the sale of Vista is precisely the acquisition for which this amendment was adopted.

“We cannot afford to have American weapons supplies fall into the wrong hands. Until it is proven that this transaction does not threaten our national security, I respectfully urge you to reject the sale of Vista Outdoor’s Sporting Products to the Czechoslovak Group,” the Republican senator concluded his letter. 

CSG spokesman Andrej Čírtek responded to Senator J. D. Vance’s letter for Forbes.

“The information in the letter is unsubstantiated and untrue, and CSG was not contacted for verification. As far as ties to Russia are concerned, we are a private company committed to selling our products to NATO and allied countries in the EU. Some CSG-owned companies have security clearances from both the Czech Republic and NATO. We work with many leading global defense companies, including Raytheon and General Dynamics European Land Systems. Our acquisition of Fiocchci, which manufactures small-caliber ammunition in the US, was successfully reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CIFIUS). None of this would be possible for a company with ties to Russia.

CSG companies have never violated any arms embargo; all exports of military equipment abroad have always been carried out on the basis of duly granted licenses. No proceedings have ever been brought against CSG companies in this regard.

The lawsuit between SARN and CSG is based on false allegations and was initiated solely to extort CSG and force CSG to make payments to which SARN is not entitled. The so-called final judgment of the Delaware court is neither new nor final. It was issued in 2020, and only now has the amount been confirmed by the court of first instance due to deficiencies in SARN’s claim. This can be appealed, and CSG has already confirmed that it will file an appeal with the Delaware Supreme Court, which may reverse or overturn the decision.

Furthermore, none of SARN’s allegations about CSG’s ties to Russia were addressed by the court in its ruling (as can be seen from the ruling itself). These allegations were part of a separate claim by SARN, but since SARN was unable to provide any evidence on these matters, the claim was never decided by the court and the litigation in this regard was terminated. On the contrary, CSG provided massive evidence that these allegations are simply nonsensical and completely unfounded.”

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