Ukraine has reached agreements with two leading US defense companies to jointly produce 155mm caliber artillery ammunition within the country, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin announced on 7 December.
Speaking during a national telethon, Kamyshin described the plans to manufacture the crucial NATO-standard rounds in Ukraine as “long-term decisions, but very important for us,” Interfax Ukraine reported.
“We have agreements with two leading American companies for the joint production of 155mm caliber ammunition in Ukraine,” he stated.
The minister noted that setting up 155mm shell production will take “at least two, maximum three years” given the technologies required.
Kamyshin stressed the need to launch efforts rapidly even though Ukraine has never produced this type of ammunition before.
“The earlier we start, the sooner we will have these solutions operational for the Defense Forces,” he said.
The announcement comes as a forum takes place in Washington DC on 6-7 December, involving representatives of Ukrainian and American industries, along with government officials from both countries. The forum explores possibilities for joint weapon production.
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