France has resumed production of gunpowder for 155 mm projectile charges.

The opening ceremony was held by the officials of the Ministry of Armed Forces of France and the representatives of the company.

The powder plant in Bergerac, owned by Eurenco, opened a new line as part of an effort to increase the production of propellant for artillery shells at all stages of production.

The ceremony was attended by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who commented on the event as a significant step towards the country’s independence in the production of gunpowder, which was previously produced at the Swedish Eurenco plant.

“We have made impressive efforts to increase production rates. Between the amount of ammunition we could supply to Ukraine every month, in particular 155 mm shells for our Caesar guns, and what we can supply today, we have made significant progress,” Ukrinform quoted the French Defense Minister as saying.

It should be noted that the Bergerac gunpowder plant is 100% owned by the state, which will allow for domestic production at any time.

The construction of the new line began in April 2024 as part of an increase in the production of modular metal charges for European customers and Ukraine directly.

The plant’s new production line is expected to start operating in early 2025, and the Ukrainian army will receive the first “fruits” of its production almost immediately.

The plant was established during the First World War, and since 2023 it has again become strategic for the French state and, in addition, for the entire European military industry.

Currently, French manufacturers expect to produce 1200 tons of gunpowder per year.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that Eurenco had invested about €100 million in 2024, 90% of which had been invested in the Bergerac facility.

It also received €10 million euros from the French state and €47 million allocated by Europe under the Ammunition Support Act (ASAP) mechanism for the implementation of the PURPLE project.