Romania to start producing its own 155 mm shells
Romania's defence industry is preparing to produce its own 155 mm artillery shells and is expanding the production of explosives. The government has already allocated significant funds for the modernisation of key enterprises.
Here's What We Know
Currently, Romania has the capacity to produce 6,000 to 20,000 artillery shells, up to 60,000 artillery mines, 300,000 to 55 million rounds of ammunition, and up to 245,000 tonnes of TNT equivalent explosives annually.
Romanian authorities have completed the expropriation of the Victoria gunpowder plant near Brasov. Its production capacity will now be expanded in cooperation with an unnamed European partner. The plant is expected to become Europe's largest gunpowder producer, and 2.5 billion Romanian lei will be allocated for its modernisation.
Illustrative image of the production of projectiles. Illustration: The New York Times
The Romanian state budget for 2025 also provides 125 million euros to upgrade the TNT and hexogen production lines at the Feherash facility. The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Romanian plants Cugir and UM Sadu produce a wide range of small arms ammunition. For example, Cugir produces 5.56 mm, 9.9 mm, 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm ammunition, while UM Sadu produces 5.54 mm and 7.62 mm calibres.
As for the production of 155 mm shells, it will begin in the 2nd quarter of 2026 at the facilities of the mechanical plant in Plopin. A budget of 100 million Romanian lei (more than $20 million) has already been allocated for this project.
Source: Defence Romania
