UK Signs Contract to Purchase 152 mm Ammunition for Ukraine

3 September, 2024 152mm ammunition. Photo credits: flickr.com The UK Defence Secretary confirmed today that the ?300m contract for the purchase of 152-mm ammunition for Ukraine has now been signed.

The press release of the UK Ministry of Defense was published on the government's website. Thousands of shells are expected to be delivered by the end of the year, providing a significant replenishment of Ukrainian stockpiles and consistent with the acceleration of military assistance from the government. The contract for the supply of artillery ammunition was awarded by Defense Equipment & Support, the MOD's procurement arm.

Testing of domestic 152-mm artillery shells.

Photo credits: Ukroboronprom

The artillery ammunition contract will deliver 120,000 newly manufactured shells over the next 18 months, and will stimulate industrial capacity in Europe and safeguard reliable supply chains that will continue to provide Ukraine with vital ammunition. Eight countries from across the world have joined the UK to provide more than ?1 billion to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). As previously reported, Norway has allocated NOK 570 million (approximately £53.23 million) to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), led by the United Kingdom.

Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Norway all confirmed their intent this summer to invest additional money in the Fund to purchase more drones to help on the frontline, as well as vital air defense capabilities to help shield Ukraine's people and key infrastructure from relentless Russian bombardment. "UK military equipment continues to prove invaluable for Ukraine's war effort. The ongoing defensive operation in Kursk underlines the crucial importance of continued support.

And today's milestone for the International Fund for Ukraine shows the value of working with our Allies to deliver that support," Defence Secretary, John Healey, stated. On August 20, it was reported that the Czech Republic will use the proceeds of Russian assets frozen in the EU as part of its initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine.

Illustrative photo of 152-mm ammunition. Photo from open sources

Due to these funds, the Czech initiative project will be able to purchase hundreds of thousands more rounds of large-caliber ammunition, which Ukraine desperately needs.

The decision to transfer proceeds from Russian assets for arms purchases was another proof of the allies' confidence in the Czech Republic and the munitions initiative.