NATO has signed a £950 million deal to ramp up ammunition production which could help Ukraine fight against invading Russian forces, but the ordnance could take years to arrive.
On Tuesday the almost one billion pound contract was signed to to make tens of thousands of artillery rounds to replenish the dwindling stocks of NATO member countries, and to further supply Ukraine.
The contract will allow for the purchase of 220,000 rounds of 155-millimetre ammunition, the most widely sought after artillery shell, according to NATO’s support and procurement agency.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “This is important to defend our own territory, to build up our own stocks, but also to continue to support Ukraine.
“We cannot allow President (Vladimir) Putin to win in Ukraine, that would be a tragedy for the Ukrainians and dangerous for all of us.”
Ukraine was firing around 4,000 to 7,000 artillery shells each day last summer, while Russia was launching more than 20,000 shells daily in its neighbour’s territory, according to European Union estimates.
Russia’s arms industry far outweighs Ukraine’s and Kyiv needs help to match Moscow’s firepower. But the shells will not arrive quickly, delivery on orders takes anywhere from 24 to 36 months, the NATO agency said.
The European Union plans to produce one million artillery rounds for Ukraine have fallen short, with only about a third of the target met. Senior EU officials have said that they now expect the European defense industry to be producing around one million shells annually by the end of this year.
Ukrainian troops on the frontline have reportedly had to ration ammunition with one senior Ukrainian artillery brigade officer telling the Financial Times “Indeed there is really not enough ammunition”.
Russia launched a hailstorm of 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and guided missiles into Ukraine’s two biggest cities this week, damaging apartment buildings and killing at least seven people.
Earlier this month Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed a £2.5 billion military aid package from the UK for Ukraine, as Rishi Sunak promised to continue to stand with the country in its fight against Russia.
The Prime Minister travelled to Kyiv in January to unveil the new funding, becoming the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine this year.
With an increase of £200 million on the last two years, the military support comes at a crucial time for President Zelensky amid fears that interest is flagging among allies as the war drags on.
The two leaders also signed a new security agreement, committing the UK to provide “swift and sustained” assistance if Ukraine is ever attacked by Russia again.
