Ukroboronprom State Concern has completed tests of artillery 155-mm ammunition and is preparing for their serial production in the second half of 2024.

Ukroboronprom State Concern informed the journalists of Radio Svoboda about this.

After the outbreak of a full-scale war, Ukraine launched mass production of artillery ammunition for the first time since independence, and in 2024 reached a capacity of several tens of thousands of shells per month.

However, now, when discussing the production of ammunition, it regards only Soviet-caliber shells, while the Defense Forces are rapidly switching to NATO-standard calibers.

Fulfilling the request, the Ukrainian defense industry has already completed tests of its own 155-mm shells and, according to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, plans to start the mass production in the second half of 2024.

“The first batch has already been manufactured. Active work is underway at several public and private defense industry enterprises to establish mass production of 155-mm shells,” Ukroboronprom State Concern said.

Ukroboronprom State Concern emphasized that the 155-mm caliber shells made in Ukraine would be compatible with all artillery systems of the same caliber.

Cooperation with Western companies

Along with producing ammunition at its own facilities, Ukraine is launching joint ventures with Western defense companies.

According to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, Ukrainian companies have agreed with two unnamed American firms and one European firm, Rheinmetall, to jointly produce 155-mm shells.

“It will take more than two years to launch joint ventures with foreigners to produce 155-mm shells in Ukraine. The sale of shells from such production will be based on the market principle, but Ukraine will have the” right of first refusal,” Kamyshin said.

In addition, the German-French KNDS is teaming up with an unnamed Ukrainian partner to produce 155-mm shells under a KNDS license, which Kamyshin said was the first of its kind in Ukraine.

According to Radio Svoboda journalists citing a source, another Western arms manufacturer will soon join this cooperation.