EU scales up on plans to boost ammo production to arm Ukraine
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The 500-million-euro ($545 million) act is meant to boost the production of ammunition in the bloc to arm and replenish Ukraine's arsenals.
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Ukrainian soldiers prepare their ammunition on the frontline positions near Vuhledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, May 1rst, 2023 (AFP)
The EU took a major step on Friday to ramp up the approval of the Act in Support of Ammunition Production, alternatively known as ASAP.
The 500-million-euro ($545 million) act is meant to boost the production of ammunition in the bloc to arm and replenish Ukraine's arsenals.
"This is yet another proof of the EU's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine," said Margarita Robles, the defense minister of Spain and current holder of the EU's rotating presidency.
Expectations on the production capacity are targeted at a million shells produced within the next 12 months
The plan is now requiring final approval from the EU Parliament and capitals.
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Money will be allocated to firms that are looking to increase their production capacity.
Another 2 billion euro plan has previously been approved in March to send a million shells from EU arsenals over this year and purchase additional ammunition for Kiev.
As of present, the EU is far off its target of sending a million howitzer shells to Kiev.
Since the start of the conflict, the EU says it has supplied weaponry worth over 15 billion euros to Kiev.
Despite this, Kiev continues to complain that it is facing a shortage of ammunition amid its attempt to regain territories controlled by Russia.
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