The United States has increased the rate of production of artillery barrels for M777 howitzers and M109 self-propelled artillery systems

The United States has ramped up production of 155mm barrels for artillery systems. The production rate exceeded 40 units per month for the first time.

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According to US General Michael Lalor, commander of the Tank and Armament Command, the production of barrels for howitzers and self-propelled guns at Watervliet Arsenal has reached record levels. Preparations are underway for the opening of a new production line, for which $161 million has been allocated. The US aims to increase production from 10 to 30 barrels per month, and the new facilities are expected to be up and running in 12-18 months.

First and foremost, it is the production of 155mm barrels for M777 howitzers, which are the backbone of the US trailer artillery and are also Ukraine's most widely used 155mm howitzer. The acceleration of production will also affect the M109 self-propelled artillery system, which is also one of the most mass-produced guns in Ukraine.

The resumption of high production rates is directly related to Ukraine's use of these systems, which can fire up to 2-3,000 rounds daily. At the same time, General Michael Lalor notes that the life of the howitzer barrel has proven to be much longer than stated when these howitzers were put into service, which only confirms their reliability.

Source: Breaking Defence.