United States will resume production of TNT for needs of army

9 November, 2024 Artillery shells in Scranton, Pennsylvania, February 2023. Photo credits: Brendan McDermid/Reuters. For the first time in 40 years, the United States will resume production of TNT for the needs of the army on its territory.

This is reported by the official website of the US Army. As part of the investment with the assistance of Senator Mitch McConnell, the United States will return to the production of TNT for the army, which has not been produced since the 1980s. This restoration is an important element in increasing the production of artillery ammunition and creating a more independent and reliable supply chain.

Artillery 155 mm shells at the early stages of production. United States.

Photo credits: The New York Times

A new TNT plant will be built in Graham, Kentucky, by the American subsidiary of the Turkish artillery ammunition manufacturer Repkon USA. "TNT is a critical explosive used by our military for artillery shells, bombs, grenades and other equipment," said Senator Mitch McConnell. A total investment of £435 million is expected to increase the production of the artillery shells to 100,000 per month, which will allow for active replenishment of reserves and transfer of these shells to Ukraine.

No date has been announced for the start of production, but it is noted that work had to begin in the near future.

Mack McGee, Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive, Kentucky, speaking at the opening of the new plant. Photo credits: Greg Eans

It should be noted that the US Army officially emphasizes that the decisions made and the construction of the new plant will be carried out on an accelerated schedule, as the army is facing a shortage of 155 mm shells, the number of which does not meet the number needed for a potential war. Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the US Army had begun to diversify its supplier base of the 155 mm artillery shells to eliminate bottlenecks in their production.

The Pentagon is investing billions of dollars to increase the production capacity of 155 mm ammunition in an effort to replenish the stockpile sent to support Ukraine. In FY24 alone, the Army planned to spend £3.1 billion to increase production. Before the war in Ukraine, the US could produce about 14,400 artillery shells per month.

Currently, the goal is to increase production to 100,000 artillery shells per month.

But, according to US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, as of September, production reached only 40,000 shells per month.

By the end of the year, it is planned to reach 55,000 shells per month.