The European Commission has decided to allocate €500 million to increase the production of ammunition, which will go to urgent aid to Ukraine and replenish the stocks of EU member states.
The European Union is trying to solve the problem of the shortage of ammunition and their components, which currently exists. Therefore, the bloc will increase defense production capacity and finance joint purchases.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, says that Europe will strengthen its support for the "courageous soldiers of Ukraine" with this Act to Support the Production of Ammunition (ASAP).
"This will help supply Ukraine with more ammunition to protect its citizens, as well as strengthen our European defense capabilities. Together with member states, we are mobilizing another €1 billion to increase capacity across Europe," she added.
In addition to funds from the EU budget, each country of the bloc will allocate its share, and together they will provide another €500 million.
- On March 20, EU member states agreed to purchase one million 155 mm ammunition for the Armed Forces over the next 12 months. In the EU, there are three directions: one billion euros for immediate delivery, one billion euros for joint procurement, as well as a mandate to increase production capacity. Politico wrote that EU members are still considering how to implement the agreement, but they promise to speed up the process.
- Currently, the defense industry of the European Union is capable of producing approximately 25 000 shells per month. According to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, in order to repel enemy attacks and launch a counteroffensive, about 90 000-100 000 munitions of 155 and 105 mm caliber are needed per month.