Brussels – Move forward with ammunition supplies to Ukraine. The European Union does not intend to abandon its ally and partner in the conflict with Russia. The plan to ramp up production capacity and supplies is not only not called into question but should begin to produce its effects by the spring of this year. That is the date EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, provided in a response to a parliamentary question.
There are three tracks to ramp up the defense industrial production: immediate delivery from stockpiles or re-prioritization of orders, joint procurement of 155 mm caliber ammunition, and increasing European industrial capacity. Regarding the first two branches of the agenda, Borrell says, “the delivery of 1 million artillery rounds of ammunition to Ukraine continues to be an important policy goal,” even in light of the failed promise to get them to Kyiv and its armed forces by the end of 2023. Now they are counting on getting them there “by March 2024,” after having already delivered, Borrell points out, “more than 300 thousand ground-to-ground rounds of ammunition and 3,200 missiles since February 2023.”
Also on the 155-caliber bullet front, the time target is the change of season. “European production capacity is already estimated to have increased by 20-30 percent since February 2023 and is expected to reach a capacity of 1 million per year in the spring of 2024. “The European production capacity is expected to increase by 20-30 percent by February 2023. A development that ties in with joint purchases to supply Ukraine. According to current estimates, “around 180 thousand shells are already on order for 2023-2024. More orders are expected in the coming months.”
