EU to produce one million artillery shells pledged to Ukraine by the end of winter

The EU, by the end of this winter, will be able to produce a million artillery shells promised to Ukraine, states the spokesperson of the European Commission for Defense Industry, Johanna Bernsel.

The spokesperson noted that the EU's industry already has production capacities significantly exceeding a million artillery shells.

"As for artillery shells, we will soon be able to produce 1 million units, we will reach this goal by spring, as planned," said the EC spokesperson.

Bernsel didn't specify at what stage EU member states are now in terms of deliveries, but is confident in the total production.

EU External Action Service spokesperson Peter Stano added that EU countries have already provided Ukraine with 300,000 shells and 3,300 missiles from their stockpiles. To date, more than 20 framework contracts have been completed.

As of the end of December 2023, the contracts provided for the supply of at least 180,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine.

"For Ukraine to be able to defend itself on the battlefield, it needs a lot of anti-missile weapons, missiles, air defense and everything else to shoot down drones from the air and on the front in the east of the country. There is already a war of attrition going on, which is being waged mainly with the help of artillery, so our Ukrainian partners need a lot of things. We are communicating this to the member states."

During his visit to the US, Volodymyr Zelensky met with executives of American defense companies.

The Ukrainian leader said the state will produce more ammunition and military equipment, but it needs support from such powerful companies.

Ukraine also wants to invite American partners to become part of defense companies, which will be in the interests of all parties.