EU to produce at least 1.3 mln artillery shells by the end of 2024
The EU plans to drastically increase ammunition production this year in response to Ukraine's growing pleas for support in its war against Russia.
The bloc hopes to produce 1.3 million shells by the end of this year, and the priority will be to send most of them to Ukraine, says market commissioner Thierry Berton.
"We will continue to improve our production capacity – probably around 1.3-1.4 million by the end of this year – and will continue to increase it significantly next year"
Breton says this is a crucial moment for Europe's collective security and in the war of aggression run by Russia in Ukraine, it must and will continue to support Ukraine with all its means.
"We need to make sure that most of this is coming to Ukraine in priority. Because this is where there is an urgent need"
On May 3, the EU Council approved a decision to provide Ukraine with €1 billion in aid for joint purchases of ammunition and missiles.
The European Defense Agency signed eight contracts with industry for the joint purchase of 155-mm ammunition.
The US is also ramping up the supply of 155-mm ammunition, which is critical for Ukraine, signing an agreement with Bulgaria and South Korea to send shells.
On November 14, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged that the EU would not be able to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells by March 2024.
On January 11, the European Commission said that the European Union would be able to produce one million rounds by the end of winter 2024.
