US ramping up 155 mm shell production to supply Kiev
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Ukraine has been firing up to 8,000 rounds of artillery per day: which American officials have assessed to be substantially higher than needed.
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A steel worker moves a 155 mm M795 artillery projectile during the manufacturing process at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania , Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP)
In an effort to bolster the attack on Russian forces in Ukraine, the Biden administration has taken proactive steps to ensure the Ukrainian frontlines are adequately equipped, the Financial Times reported.
For months, US officials have been concerned about Ukraine's high burn rate of munition which is expected to put a strain on their arsenal of munitions as the fighting gets tense.
Notably, Ukraine has been firing up to 8,000 rounds of artillery per day, which American officials have assessed to be substantially higher than needed.
Read more: Kiev lost 21,000 soldiers, 2,200+ pieces of equipment in July: Shoigu
The US government has worked up agreements with Bulgaria and South Korea to provide munitions to Ukraine, while also engaging in talks with Japan for a similar arrangement in light of stock munitions drying out.
However, the challenge lies in ramping up the rate of production to meet Ukraine's pressing needs.
The US Army's effort to increase the monthly output of crucial munitions to 90,000 is projected to extend until 2025, The Financial Times reported, citing US officials, highlighting the difficulty in rapidly scaling up such production, especially when it had not been a primary focus before.
“Prior to the Ukraine spin-up, most of the army’s focus was on building out new tank munitions,” said Retired Brigadier General Guy Walsh, executive vice-president at the National Defense Industrial Association.
Read more: Ukraine must prepare to lose White House: Telegraph
155 mm Caliber Shells for Howitzers
Officials have clarified that the primary focus of the weapons effort is to increase the delivery of 155mm caliber shells, which are essential for the howitzers currently deployed by Ukraine along the frontlines. This initiative involves obtaining supplies from international allies in the immediate term, while also outlining plans to boost domestic production in the upcoming two years.
“We are actively working as rapidly as possible to build out the production lines for 155,” US national security advisor Jake Sullivan said.
“We do not want to lose a day and there is not a tool, authority or dollar that we’re going to set on the sidelines to not being able to do that.”
Read more: Kiev using banned mines, NATO munitions to bomb civilians in Donetsk
