Russia's munition production is more than that of US, EU combined: NYT

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Sep 2023 23:53
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The newspaper says that Russia's weapon's manufacturing has rebounded to pre-war levels after declining during the first six months of the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a center for arms manufacturing in Tula, Russia on Dec 23, 2022 (Russian government)

Russia's production volume of missiles today surpassed that prior to the beginning of the war in Ukraine, while in terms of ammunition its manufacturing quantities are more than the United States and the European Union combined, The New York Times reported on Wednesday citing US and EU officials.

According to Washington's estimates, Russia experienced a decline in missile production and other weaponry for a period of approximately six months in 2022. However, by the end of the year, output had recovered and returned to previous levels, the report added, citing US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Russia is currently producing 200 tanks and is expected to reach a manufacturing load of two million artillery rounds per year - twice the West's previous estimates.

A senior official of the Estonian Defense Ministry told the newspaper that Russia's munition production volume is seven times that of Western states. Kusti Salm also added that manufacturing costs are significantly lower in Russia compared to those in the West.

The EU announced in July to speed up the approval of the Act in Support of Ammunition Production, alternatively known as ASAP, in attempts to ramp up factories' ammunition output to arm and replenish Ukraine's arsenals.

American and European officials have repeatedly warned that Ukraine is burning through weapons provided by its allies, cautioning that the current state of security assistance is unsustainable.

US-based news outlet The Week reported in March that Ukrainian forces are using 6000 artillery shells per day. The report came after an assessment published by Washington-based think tank, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), that the United States is suffering from a critical shortage in military supplies and munition stockpiles due to its support to Kiev.

Meanwhile, a report earlier by NYT raised the alarm on the US' depleting stockpile of weapons, which, according to the newspaper, are being consumed in a proxy conflict in Europe when many American officials fear that the United States is closing in on a state where it will be unable to respond to unexpected security events, on top of which is a clash with China.