Pentagon to increase production of bullets by 500 percent for Ukraine
According to the news from The New York Times, which is based on a US Army report, with this Pentagon initiative, the production of 155-millimeter bullets Ukraine needs will increase to 90,000 per month in two years, while production will increase. by 500 percent.
The initiative, which will involve expanding factories and bringing in new manufacturers, is part of the “most aggressive modernization effort in nearly 40 years” for the US defense industry base.
Before the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the US military was producing 14,400 unguided projectiles per month, while the Pentagon’s production target tripled by September 2022 and doubled by January 2023, due to supply needs. from Ukraine.
UKRAINE USES BULLETS WITHOUT PROTECTION
While Ukraine mainly uses howitzers that fire unguided projectiles, the Pentagon prefers fewer and more expensive precision-guided weapons. In this context, the Pentagon’s new investment in cannon production looks more like a concession.
On the other hand, the weapon most used by Russian and Ukrainian troops since February 2022 stands out as unguided artillery projectiles.
This Pentagon decision is seen as a sign that the United States is determined to support Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war.
However, the Pentagon will spend about $1 billion each year for the next 15 years to modernize state-owned munitions manufacturing facilities, as well as to finance new facilities to produce artillery munitions.
“WE WILL SUPPORT YOUR NEEDS IN REAL TIME”
Douglas R. Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Supply, Logistics and Technology, said the United States is one of the few countries that has a significant arsenal of these types of weapons in both wartime and peacetime.
As for bale production targets, “this summer, we will start to take the first significant step in the number of bales per month.” Bush said the planned production increases will support Ukraine’s needs in real time.
Bush said the fourth domestic manufacturer of 155-millimeter shells will be announced soon. (AA)