Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of artillery ammunition. This is a huge problem, because infantry cannot effectively push ahead without artillery support. Furthermore, defending current positions without extensive artillery action is also difficult. But Ukraine’s Western allies are not ready to ramp up the production of 155 mm shells to cover the entire demand of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer Bohdana uses 155 mm shells – a departure from the Soviet/Russian 152 mm standard. Image credit: Armyinform.com.ua via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
Ukraine fires 8-10 thousand shells per day. And it used to fire more shots before! Keep that in mind when Ukraine’s Western allies promise to deliver 40-50 thousand shells. In fact, the Armed Forces of Ukraine would like to be able to fire more shots than that, but the supply of ammunition has been lacking. Recently it’s been reported that some of the Ukrainian assault operations have been cancelled due to the lack of ammunition, including artillery shells.
There are some things that make this situation somewhat better. First of all, countries like Germany are putting a lot of efforts into ramping up the production of 155 mm shells. It will take some time for the production rates to reach the required pace, but at least something is being done. Because NATO countries also need more shells, not just Ukraine. Second of all, Russian forces in Ukraine are also experiencing a lack of ammunition.
Where will Ukraine get the artillery shells that it needs to defend against the Russian invasion? It will make them!
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk revealed that in 2024 enterprises of Ukraine together with certain partner countries will jointly manufacture 155 mm shells in a quantity that will largely cover the difference between the demand and the aid provided by the partners. At the same time, Ukraine will make ammo for other calibers too.
“We are continuing to build up our own domestic production of ammunition for almost the entire range of projectiles of the former Soviet Union,” added Ivan Havrylyuk.
The production of shells in Ukraine is not going to be huge. But Ukraine has been making the first steps to switch to the NATO 155 mm caliber for some time. Ukraine’s own self-propelled howitzer Bohdana, which was developed way before the Russian invasion of 2022, is 155 mm. They just need to ramp up the production to not rely solely on what the Western allies can provide.
By the way, did you know that the cost of one 155 mm shell has risen dramatically during the past year? Admiral Rob Bauer, head of NATO’s military committee, revealed that the price for one artillery shell has gone up to 8,000 euros. Before the Russian invasion, it was around 2,000 euros. Just at the beginning of this year, the cost of one shell was between 3 and 4 thousand euros.
Written by Povilas M.
Sources: ArmyInform, Reuters