EU Boosts Ammunition Procurement Efforts to Support Ukraine Defense

EU Boosts Ammunition Procurement Efforts to Support Ukraine's Defense

EU Accelerates Ammunition Procurement Efforts

Long-term supply contracts, funding programs for ammunition manufacturers, and increased funding for the European Peace Fund: The EU is making significant efforts to fulfill its promise of ammunition deliveries to Ukraine.

EU Accelerates Ammunition Procurement Efforts

It's a significant commitment: The European Union aims to provide Ukraine with one million rounds of ammunition by early next year. Estonia's Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, initiated this commitment back in March.

EU Commits to Providing Ammunition to Ukraine

Ukraine primarily requires 155-millimeter caliber shells and anti-aircraft missiles for the modern weapon systems provided by NATO countries. These resources are crucial for the embattled nation to defend itself against the Russian army and continue its counteroffensive to liberate the occupied territories.

EU Supports Ukraine's Ammunition Needs in Face of Russian Aggression

"It would be nice if we had more ammunition available, ideally 90,000 or 100,000 rounds per month," said Ukrainian Defense Minister Olexiy Reznikov.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Calls for Increased Ammunition Support

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been consuming significantly more ammunition than what is produced in Europe for some time. The European defense industry recently produced around 300,000 artillery shells per year, which falls short of the promised one million rounds. "Time is of the essence. We must deliver more and be faster," says EU High Representative Josep Borrell.

EU Urges Swift Delivery and Increased Production of Ammunition

To ensure short-term supply, EU member states are providing ammunition from their own stocks, which are gradually depleting and need to be replenished, especially in terms of commonly used calibers. One billion euros from the European Peace Fund is allocated for this purpose.

EU Member States Contribute Ammunition from Stockpiles, but Long-Term Solutions Needed

With an additional billion euros, the EU aims to boost joint ammunition procurement for Ukraine either through the European Defense Agency or, as the German government does, through national agreements with manufacturers, "as it saves money and time."

EU Allocates Substantial Funding for Joint Ammunition Procurement

Experts at the European External Action Service now report significant progress: Over 220,000 shells have already been provided to Ukraine from EU stockpiles, along with 2,100 missiles for air defense systems such as Patriot or Iris-T, according to a request from ARD Radio in Brussels.

EU Shows Progress in Delivering Ammunition to Ukraine

Furthermore, the EU is working to expand production capacities to meet the commitment of one million rounds. To support the industry, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton has launched a €500 million funding program for ammunition manufacturers.

EU Supports Ammunition Manufacturers with Multi-Million Euro Funding Program

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also emphasizes the importance of increasing ammunition production and procurement. He calls on member states to establish long-term supply contracts, providing defense companies with planning security to expand their factories accordingly.

NATO Urges Long-Term Supply Contracts for Ammunition

"This is now a war of attrition. It's about delivering weapons and ammunition to soldiers at the front lines. That's why NATO is working closely with the industry and has set new targets for the stockpiling of allies. We must do more to ensure Ukraine gets what it needs and to replenish our own stocks," Stoltenberg stated.

NATO Calls for Increased Ammunition Production and Stockpiling

To ensure long-term financing for ammunition and weapon assistance to Ukraine, the EU has recently increased the European Peace Fund, which covers the majority of arms deliveries to Kyiv, by €3.5 billion. The NATO alliance is also actively discussing increased defense spending. Against the backdrop of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the alliance aims to significantly tighten the requirements at its summit next week in Vilnius, Lithuania.