The UK hands over more than 200,000 shells to Ukraine

21 July, 2023 155mm shells during training of Ukrainian artillerymen in Great Britain. March 2023. Photo credits: apnews.com

As part of military aid, Britain has provided Ukraine with over 200,000 artillery shells, which is 15 times more than it planned a year ago. Ben Wallace, head of the defense department of the United Kingdom, made the corresponding statement. The Minister said that Britain had "donated significant quantities of military equipment, ammunition and non-lethal aid" as Ukrainian soldiers defended their territory and looked to expel Russian invaders, the Independent reports.

According to him, the number of "critical" artillery shells sent to Ukraine was 184,000 more than planned in 2022. He noted that last year Britain initially planned to send 16,000 shells.

105mm howitzer shell. Photo from open sources

"For example, we have delivered over 15 times the quantity of artillery ammunition originally planned (over 200,000 compared to plans of 16,000 shells a year ago)," Wallace said.

He noted that 4,000 units of ammunition had been sent to arm the 14 Challenger II tanks that Britain shipped to Ukraine at the start of the year to counter the Russian invasion. Wallace also said that London spent ?2.3 billion on military aid to Ukraine between April 2022 and March 2023.

Transportation of 155-mm shells. Photo from the network

In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received at least five million anti-personnel weapons, including mortars and grenades.

The donated items had come from a mixture of UK defence stocks, procurement from the defence industry in the UK and overseas, and purchases of surplus equipment from foreign governments.

Projectiles production line.

Photo credits: BAE Systems

In February, Militarnyi reported that the defense industry of the UK is increasing weapon production to replenish the stockpiles of the British military and to help Ukraine.

Specifically, this regards increasing artillery shell production.