US to increase artillery rounds production by 500% for US armed forces and Ukraine.

According to the New York Times, the massive increase in the production of artillery ammunition is meant to both make up for shortfalls caused by Russia's war in Ukraine and to build up stockpiles for future wars.
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The Pentagon is now aiming to boost the production of artillery shells by 500% for both its own needs and to keep supplying the Ukrainian army (Picture source: U.S. Army)

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the U.S. produced 14,000 shells monthly, sufficient for the American military's style of war, the New York Times reported. But with the thousands of ammunition delivered by the US to the Ukrainian army, so depleting the U.S. stocks, it has become urgent to replenish these stocks while keeping on the deliveries to Ukraine. Hence, the Pentagon is now aiming to boost the production of artillery shells by 500%.

The move is part of "the most aggressive modernization effort in nearly 40 years” for the U.S. defense industry and will involve expanding factoring and finding new producers, the New York Times reported, citing an Army report.

Most of the artillery ammunition requested by Ukraine consists of 155mm shells to ‘’feed’’ the numerous howitzers and self-propelled howitzers received from various Western suppliers involved in helping Ukraine fight its Russian invaders.

In this framework, the U.S. DoD on January 30 announced that Northrop Grumman and Global Military Products will compete for each order of the $522,279,434 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement and delivery of 155 mm rounds. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 30, 2027. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.