Company KNDS and Germany team up to supply Ukraine with Artillery Ammunition.

On December 14, 2023, the German Defense Minister announced that a framework agreement was authorized with KNDS, a munitions manufacturer company, for the supply of 68,000 artillery shells of 155 mm. This decision, approved by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag, marks a crucial step in European defense cooperation.
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Company KNDS to supply HE-Frag shells for Ukraine. (Picture source: Bundeswehr)

This flexibility aligns with the ambitious initiative of the EU, which aims to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine over the next 12 months while seeking to replenish the ammunition stocks of EU member states.

The role of the company KNDS is critical in this context. The order of 68,000 high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) shells for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, amounting to 278 million euros, is a clear sign of Germany's commitment to support Ukraine. These munitions are intended for the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers previously sent to Ukraine by Berlin.

The EU initiative, hailed as a historic decision, aims not only to meet Ukraine's urgent ammunition needs but also to support the European defense industry in increasing its long-term production. It includes financial support to encourage member states to provide munitions from their stocks and place new orders with the industry.

In parallel, Rheinmetall, a German company, has also secured a contract worth 142 million euros to supply tens of thousands of 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine, ordered by an unnamed NATO country. The delivery is scheduled for 2025 and will be carried out by Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, the group's Spanish subsidiary.

This series of agreements and orders underscores Germany's robust and strategic support for Ukraine, aligning with the broader EU initiative to strengthen defense capabilities in response to the ongoing conflict. The collaboration between the German and French defense industries in this context highlights a significant step towards unity and resilience in European defense.