EU countries are close to ordering ammunition worth €1 billion for Ukraine
22 April, 2023 Production of ammunition. The photo is illustrative EU countries are very close to deciding to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine with ammunition worth 1 billion euros.
The corresponding announcement was made on Friday by an EU official, Ukrinform reports. These funds have already been allocated for a joint order for the production of large-caliber artillery ammunition for their urgent provision to Ukraine. It is expected that the shells will arrive in Ukraine within a certain time.
"On March 20, we reached a political agreement on a trilateral approach. The first stage which is to facilitate the supply of ammunition for Ukraine from the depots of the European armies is already being implemented. The second stage is a joint order for the production of 155mm shells, which were requested by Ukraine.
This is the point under discussion now. It seems that the solution is very close. We all want to help Ukraine and this is part of our military assistance," the official said.
155mm artillery rounds.
Photo from open sources
According to him, the third step in solving the problem of a shortage of artillery ammunition is long-term planning and investments in the development of the production capacity of the European defense industry. "A decision on the second track will be made very quickly, probably over the next few days. Thus, ammunition will be supplied to Ukraine, and it will arrive within the specified time. This will be another manifestation of our broad military support for Ukraine," the EU official said.
Earlier, Politico discovered that France and Poland had a dispute on Wednesday, when ambassadors of the European Union countries could not resolve contradictions regarding joint EU contracts for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine.
155mm projectiles by the MSM GROUP. Photo credits: MSM GROUP
It is noted that the ambassadors of the EU countries tried to agree on the implementation of the joint purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. European Union countries faced disagreements on how to spend 1 billion euros reserved for joint procurement.
The main issue of the dispute is regarding the location of the order for the production of shells. France advocates that the funds should remain within the European Union, but some other countries support the possibility of buying shells outside the EU to speed up their supply.
Production of 155mm projectiles at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in the USA. March 2023.
Photo credits: The Washington Post
In March, European defense ministers supported the proposal of the EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell to use a billion euros from the European Peace Fund to immediately supply Ukraine with ammunition from the available reserves of European armies.
Another billion euros Borrell proposed to use for the joint purchase of shells.