Ukraine to Receive Thousands of 152 mm Artillery Shells from International Fund.

On July 11, 2024, during the NATO Summit, the British Prime Minister announced a significant commitment of over $1.22 billion by the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), including a major contract of $367 million for 152mm artillery shells suited for Ukraine’s Soviet-era cannons. This contract exemplifies the IFU’s mission to provide swift and tailored support to meet Ukrainian military needs.

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Soviet-era 152 mm Artillery Shells (Picture source: US DoD)

The artillery ammunition contract is set to deliver 120,000 newly-manufactured shells over the next 18 months, enhancing European industrial capacity and ensuring reliable supply chains to continuously provide Ukraine with essential ammunition.

Launched in 2022 by the United Kingdom and Denmark, the International Fund for Ukraine has become a key player in coordinating international aid for Ukraine. This fund aims to pool resources from participating countries to more effectively purchase equipment and arms needed to address Ukraine's urgent needs amid the Russian invasion.

Managed by the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Rapid Procurement team, the contract ensures the delivery of thousands of shells by the end of the year, significantly enhancing Ukrainian reserves during this critical time.

The dynamics of the IFU extend beyond the UK and Denmark, with notable contributions from countries like Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, as well as new participants such as Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. These nations have recently increased their support, particularly through the acquisition of drones and air defense capabilities to help protect the Ukrainian population and key infrastructure. To date, these nine countries have collectively contributed over 1 billion euros to the IFU. Norway alone has contributed a total of 1.8 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately $168 million) to the IFU since 2022.

In June 2024, the first delivery of ammunition was made to Ukraine as part of a Czech-led initiative to purchase 800,000 shells for Ukraine.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey, in discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov, reiterated the UK’s commitment to accelerating military aid. “British military equipment continues to prove invaluable to Ukraine’s war effort, and the ongoing successes on the battlefield highlight the crucial importance of continued support,” he stated.

The IFU's support extends beyond munitions and weapons. It has also facilitated the delivery of advanced technologies such as reconnaissance drones, maritime drones, and demining systems, in addition to combat vehicle spares and air defense systems. These efforts are crucial for supporting Ukraine in degrading enemy forces and preventing significant breakthroughs on the battlefield.

The recent increase in funding and resources allocated to the IFU underscores the strategic importance and effectiveness of this collective support mechanism, highlighting the unity and resilience of allied nations in their support for Ukraine.