The US is trying to establish its own TNT production to reduce dependence on munitions

The US Army has awarded a contract worth up to $435 million to REPKON USA to build a TNT production facility in Graham, Kentucky.

Here's What We Know

After many years of dependence on foreign supplies, production will return to the US territory. The sole-source contract is managed by the Army's Joint Munitions and Armaments Programme Executive Office and the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island.

According to Douglas Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, this project is an important step in rebuilding the US industrial base.

He stressed that controlling its own TNT supply chain is especially important in a time of global instability.

Major General John T. Reim, Joint Munitions Programme Manager, emphasised that the new facility will help the US military to obtain critical munitions quickly.

The contract reflects the US Army's intentions to strengthen national security and make the defence industry more resilient to global risks by building up stockpiles of key materials such as rare earth elements and chemicals.

Source: Defence Industry Europe