U.S. to double 155mm artillery shells production
29 March, 2023 Production of 155mm projectiles at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant. USA. March 2023.
Photo credits: The Washington Post The United States plans to significantly increase the production of 155mm artillery shells. Gabe Camarillo, Army Undersecretary, said that the U.S. plans to double the production of artillery shells by the end of 2023.
There are also plans to sextuple their production over the next five years. Camarillo said at the Association of the U.S. Army's Global Force Symposium that the Pentagon will spend some £1.45 billion to upgrade production facilities.
Investments should support the defense capability of Ukraine with new shells and replenish the reserves of the U.S. army.
Gabe Camarillo. Photo credits: U.S. Army
It will cost £349 million to add factory lines, purchase equipment, and hire second shifts.
The U.S. also intends to double production of Javelin anti-tank systems (to 330 per month) and rocket launchers (to 41 per month). Camarillo said that by 2026, the U.S. Army also intends to double (from 566 to 1,110 units) the monthly order for the production of GMLRS missiles for the M142 HIMARS and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.
Overall, the U.S. is investing over £2 billion this year in industrial facilities used to manufacture weapons and ammunition.
The GMLRS missiles production. Photo from the manufacturer's company
The funds are part of a 15-year, £18 billion plan to modernize government-owned weapons and munitions facilities. In April, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said the U.S. was planning to manufacture 20,000 155mm rounds per month by spring, not the 24,000 that Camarillo said.
Production of 155mm projectiles at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant. USA. March 2023.
Photo credits: The Washington Post
However, it remains unclear whether such an increase in production in the U.S. will be able to satisfy both Ukraine's defense needs and the Pentagon's own needs.
According to public data, the United States has already sent 1,074,000 155mm rounds to Ukraine, and the monthly consumption of these shells, according to experts, is up to 143,000 rounds.