Ukraine Starts Large-Scale Production of Locally Made 155mm Shells to Defeat Russia.

Ukraine has officially commenced the domestic production of 155mm artillery shells, marking an important step for the country’s defense industry amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. This announcement was confirmed by Oleksandr Kamyshin, strategic advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky and former Minister of Strategic Industries, during an interview with the Norwegian media outlet Nettavisen.

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Norwegian 155mm Shells for Ukraine (Picture source: Norway MoD)

This initiative, the result of several months of intensive development, represents a critical step in Ukraine’s strategy for military self-sufficiency, aiming to reduce dependence on imported munitions while increasing its capacity to sustain a prolonged war effort. According to Kamyshin, the country’s domestic production of artillery shells has doubled since the Russian invasion in February 2022, and this figure is expected to triple by the end of 2024.

The development of the 155mm shell production began in June 2023, when Ukraine’s national defense conglomerate, Ukroboronprom, confirmed its efforts to master this complex process. At the time, company spokesperson Natalia Sad stated that the 155mm caliber would become increasingly crucial for Ukrainian forces as more NATO-standard artillery systems were being adopted.

By August 2024, Ukroboronprom had completed testing of the shells and initiated mass production. The first batches have already been manufactured, and multiple public and private enterprises are working to scale up production. This development represents a turning point for Ukraine, as it strengthens its ability to meet its own ammunition needs in a conflict where artillery plays a decisive role.

In addition to its domestic efforts, Ukraine is benefiting from technological support provided by Norway. The Norwegian government has granted the necessary licenses for Ukraine to produce 155mm shells and has shared its production methodologies. This partnership has allowed Ukraine to accelerate its production capacity, ensuring a quicker supply of munitions for Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

Kamyshin expressed his gratitude to Norway, emphasizing that this technology transfer benefits not only Ukraine but also the international community. This cooperation enhances Ukraine’s security and contributes to regional stability by strengthening the defense capabilities of a country facing a prolonged invasion.

Although modern technologies such as drones and electronic warfare have become increasingly important in the conflict, artillery warfare remains a key factor in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Both countries continue to heavily rely on Soviet military doctrine, which emphasizes the massive use of artillery. Russia reportedly fires around 10,000 shells daily, compared to 2,000 for Ukraine. Initially, Ukraine relied on its Soviet-era stockpiles of 152mm shells, supplemented by 155mm shells provided by NATO allies.

With the launch of its own production, Ukraine is now in a stronger position to sustain its military operations over the long term. The ability to manufacture NATO-standard shells ensures compatibility with the Western artillery systems Ukraine has received, such as the American M109, the Polish AHS Krab, and the British AS90.

However, munitions are only one part of the equation. Recognizing its dependence on Western-supplied howitzers, Ukraine is also seeking to develop its own artillery systems. In response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine began the development of the 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, a 155mm system mounted on a wheeled chassis. This choice, utilizing the domestically produced KrAZ-6322 military truck, aimed to reduce reliance on foreign components while speeding up the manufacturing process.

The 2S22 Bohdana offers a firing range of up to 40 kilometers with standard shells and up to 50 kilometers with extended-range munitions. This domestically produced artillery system enhances Ukraine’s ability to conduct operations with systems designed and manufactured on its own soil.

In addition to its national efforts, Ukraine continues to collaborate with international partners. An agreement signed earlier this year with the German company Rheinmetall aims to establish facilities in Ukraine to produce 155mm munitions on a large scale. Once operational, these facilities are expected to meet Ukraine’s growing ammunition needs as the conflict intensifies.

The domestic production of 155mm shells, combined with the manufacturing of howitzers like the Bohdana, provides Ukraine with a critical strategic capability to support its military operations over the long term. As the war with Russia continues, this increasing autonomy in arms production could prove decisive for the outcome of the conflict.

As a conclusion, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated on September 14 2024 that Ukraine will be able to domestically produce $20 billion worth of defense equipment in 2025 if Ukraine receives additional funding from its partners.

PZH 2000 self-propelled gun firing 155mm shells also supplied to Ukrainian troops by Germany (Picture source: Nammo)