Sweden will increase production of 155mm ammunition for Ukraine

13 January, 2024 Production of 155mm ammunition at the Nammo enterprise. Photo credits: nytimes.com The Swedish military-industrial complex will increase the production of artillery ammunition for Ukraine.

The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) signed an agreement with Nammo ammunition manufacturer. The contract deals with investment in increasing capacity to produce 155mm artillery ammunition in Sweden. The planned investments are partly funded by the Swedish state and partly by the European Union.

The agreement turns into a contract provided that the EU, in competition with other project proposals, will allocate funds during the first quarter of 2024.

Unloading of 155mm shells to the FH70 howitzer of the Ukrainian military. October 2022.

Ukraine. A frame from a video by Radio Liberty

"Now we are taking the next important step to accelerate investment in the production capacity of the industry. Thus, we reduce the delivery time, increase the ability to support Ukraine, and at the same time strengthen the security of the supply of artillery ammunition to Sweden and Scandinavia for the long term," said Jonas Lotsne, head of the FMV operations department.

This investment is the third step in a large-scale effort to increase the production of artillery ammunition and ensure constant support for Ukraine. The work is carried out within the framework of Nordic Defense Cooperation NORDEFCO (Northern European Defense Cooperation) and is headed by FMV. The aim of the organization is to reduce defense costs and improve the efficiency of the army, navy and aviation of the five countries of Northern Europe.

NORDEFCO deals with:

• replenishment of the material base for joint purposes;
• joint development of defense importance technologies;
• conducting joint exercises and increasing the level of education among the Scandinavian military.

Production of 155mm ammunition at the Nammo enterprise. Photo credits: nytimes.com

It is worth recalling that Sweden will also transfer SEK 50 million (about £5 million) to the NATO fund for helping Ukraine.

Denmark and Sweden will also supply Ukraine with additional CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.