EU provides Ukraine with almost 224,000 rounds of ammunition
12 August, 2023 155mm artillery ammunition. Photo from open sources The European Union has handed over 223,800 artillery rounds and mortar mines to Ukraine.
This assistance is implemented under the first part of the plan to provide one million shells. The Armed Forces of Ukraine were also supplied 2,300 missiles of various types. EU spokesman Peter Stano announced this on Friday, DW reports.
The ammunition is being transferred to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion forces. "Member states (of the EU - Ed.) have delivered about 223,800 rounds of ammunition - for self-propelled artillery, precision-guided shells, and mortar mines - and 2,300 missiles of all types," Stano said.
155-mm M1712A1 shells of the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer of the Ukrainian military near Soledar. January 2023. Ukraine.
Photo credits: Reuters
Earlier this year, the European Union pledged to increase the supply of artillery shells needed by Ukraine. EU countries have agreed a two-billion-euro plan to transfer shells from existing stockpiles and place joint orders for new ammunition to supply Ukraine with one million 155mm artillery shells over the period of 12 months. In the first phase of the plan, one billion euros were allocated to reimburse EU members for approximately half of the cost of the shells provided from warehouses in different countries.
On 3 May, the European Commission approved an act to support the production and urgent shipment of ammunition to Ukraine and to replenish its own stocks. In July, the Council of the European Union agreed with the European Parliament on a project for boosting the production of ammunition in the EU.
Production of ammunition. The photo is illustrative
This will make it possible to allocate EUR 500 million from the EU budget to support the ramp-up of the manufacturing capacities for the production of artillery shells and missiles for Ukraine and the EU countries.
Financial support will be provided in the form of grants to various types of actions contributing to the efforts of the European defence industry to increase their production capacities, as well as tackle identified bottlenecks.