Fitting the projectile: in what volumes does Europe produce ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

NATO countries have begun to establish joint production of shells with Ukraine, building new factories on its territory and reconstructing old ones. In particular, the Czech Republic has begun the final stage of launching an artillery shell production line, and Belgium has signed an agreement with Kiev on cooperation in the production of Soviet-caliber ammunition. Who produces what and in what volumes in the shell industry in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — in the material of Izvestia.

Czech production in Ukraine

Czechoslovak Group (CSG), a Czech industrial holding company, has begun the final stage of launching a production line of 155 mm artillery shells in Ukraine. They will produce shells of all major calibers — several types of 155-mm, 105-mm high-explosive fragmentation, 120-mm tank shells. This year, it is planned to produce 100 thousand shells, and from 2026 to produce 300 thousand per year.

Photo: Global Look Press/Philipp Schulze

It is stated that the company is located "in an area with a low risk of missile attacks." However, for Russian missiles and drones, this is an absolutely legitimate target, so it is unclear how long it will remain untouched.

Not only the Czech Republic has decided to rebuild its own and build a new Ukrainian shell industry, but also the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Poland, France and other countries. According to data for 2025, NATO and its members are actively increasing production, focusing on key calibers such as 155 mm to meet the growing needs of Ukraine and to prepare shells for their own needs.

The main NATO caliber

155 mm is the caliber of all major NATO howitzers, in particular the French CAESAR and the German PzH2000. Ukraine is currently using them to fire at a distance of up to 40 km, so these shells are needed most of all.

Other calibers, such as 105 mm or 120 mm, are less common. They are needed for artillery and tanks. These shells are mainly high-explosive, which makes them relatively inexpensive products for destroying manpower and equipment with the help of an explosion and fragments.

The French CAESAR howitzer

Photo: Global Look Press/Cover Images

The cost of tank shells — cumulative and sub—caliber - is noticeably higher. The most expensive are homing projectiles, but it is extremely difficult and almost impossible to increase their production due to cost and high technology.

How many shells does Ukraine need per year

Ukraine claims that the Ukrainian Armed Forces need up to 7,000 shells per day to conduct effective defensive battles. This means that their request is 2.5 million shells per year. At the same time, Ukraine does not produce such a large number of shells on its own, even close. After all, this requires industrial equipment, conveyor production, metalworking and work with large volumes of explosive materials. It turns out that now the Ukrainian Armed Forces have all hope for Europe.

Photo: Anatolii Lysiansky/Press Service of the 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS

The volume of shipments of shells has increased significantly since 2022. For example, in 2024, France sent 30,000 155 mm shells to Ukraine, and this year it promises to increase their number to 80,000. The UK has supplied 140,000 rounds of ammunition in the first months of this year and plans to continue deliveries. And the total amount of money provided by NATO has already exceeded $126 billion since the beginning of hostilities, including ammunition. Kiev also plans to receive 2.5 million drones from the West this year.

Which countries are ready to supply ammunition to Ukraine

In addition to the major powers, there are other NATO countries that are ready to engage in the projectile industry. For example, the Ukroboronprom concern recently concluded an agreement with the Belgian company KNDS on cooperation in the production of Soviet-caliber ammunition. In particular, 30-mm shells for BMP-2 automatic guns. Here we are also talking not only about the purchase of finished products, but also about the deployment of production on the territory of Ukraine.

Photo: Global Look Press/Mauricio Campino

Next, Romania increases the production of 120-mm ammunition for tanks and conventional 155-mm artillery shells. Joint production of ammunition with the United States is also expanding. Romania is planned to become a strategic manufacturing hub for the eastern flank of NATO. And, of course, no one excludes possible supplies from here to Ukraine. By doing so, they are moving production closer to the consumer — after all, it is in the east that NATO expects and predicts in every possible way a possible clash with Russia.

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In addition, some countries sell shells to Ukraine from their own stocks. For example, Turkish companies are ready to follow this path. They offer to supply mines for mortars, 122-mm Grad MLRS ammunition and 155-mm shells. This is in addition to cartridges of various calibers for small arms.

In general, the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance satisfy Ukraine's shell hunger in all possible ways. However, on June 5, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that in three months Russia produces the same amount of ammunition as all NATO countries in one year. And if this is the case, it is unclear how they will meet the needs of Kiev. There are two ways here: either to satiate or to reduce appetites. And the second is easier to implement.

Rheinmetall plants in Ukraine

Earlier, Izvestia wrote that the Ukrainian state concern Ukroboronprom and the German Rheinmetall corporation signed a memorandum on the establishment of another joint venture in the country, the third in a row. It is assumed that starting in 2026, it will be engaged in the production of 155-mm artillery shells at a rate of 150 thousand units annually.

Photo: Global Look Press/Daniel Karmann

Two factories are also under construction — for the assembly of armored vehicles and for the production of air defense systems. As is known from the speeches of the Kiev authorities, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not enough. The armored vehicles that are planned to be assembled on Ukrainian territory are the Lynx KF41 heavy infantry fighting vehicle.

As a commercial entity, Rheinmetall chose Ukraine for a reason. The main advantage of such cooperation is state financing. Moreover, both from Kiev and from European capitals. So, in May 2024, the concern received a contract for € 150 million from the German government for the supply of weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Rheinmetall is now going to spend noticeably large sums.