The EU has almost delivered the 1 million shells promised to Ukraine in 2023

The EU countries have handed over 980,000 shells to Ukraine, out of the 1 million ammunition promised in March 2023.

Here's What We Know

"We have almost done it. We have already delivered more than 980,000 rounds, and very soon we will deliver 1 million rounds. I know that we committed ourselves to reach this level by spring and failed to do so. But by the end of the year we will be able to. And we have accelerated considerably to achieve this," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

In addition, in an interview with Yevropeiska Pravda, he said that EU countries plan to supply Ukraine with more than 1.5 million rounds of ammunition by the end of the year. According to him, a significant part of the ammunition is transferred under bilateral agreements between Ukraine and individual member states, as well as through the "Czech initiative".

However, Borrell acknowledged that the difficulties with the supply of shells are partly due to an overestimation of the production capabilities of European countries.

He emphasised that by 2025, if the EU is able to reach "cruising speed" in production, the volume of ammunition supplies to Ukraine could remain at the level of 2024.

"When we promised to reach the level of 1 million shells per year by spring, we did not know what the real production capacity was, and it was not as high as we thought. Now we already have this production capacity," Borrell said.

According to an investigation by European and Ukrainian journalists, the EU's actual production capacity for 155mm artillery shells is approximately 550,000 units per year, while the European Commission announced in spring 2024 that it could reach 1 million shells per year.

According to representatives of arms companies, the problem lies in the global shortage of gunpowder and explosives. It is also a lack of funds to finance the industry, as Western governments are reluctant to sign long-term contracts with the industry.

Sources: EP