The EU signs first 8 deals on joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine

The European Defence Agency signed 8 framework contracts with industry for the joint procurement of 155mm ammunition for Ukraine.

It was reported on the EDA website on September 5.

EU’s military support for Ukraine’s defence must continue – Borrell

“We are taking another step forward in our three-track ammunition initiative. Member States can now pass orders within eight framework contracts. Time is of essence. Putin does not show any sign of letting up in his aggression against the Ukrainian people. This is why our military support for Ukraine’s defence must continue.“

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The report says that joint procurement is the best option to achieve cost savings through economies of scale and interoperability. It allows member states to purchase ammunition according to national needs or in support of Ukraine.

26 member states and Norway have signed the overall EDA project agreement. 

EU industry produces ammunition for howitzers that EU countries supplied to Ukraine

The ammunition to be procured is intended for the most common self-propelled howitzers EU member states have provided to Ukraine: the French Caesar, Polish Krab, German Panzerhaubitze 2000, and Slovak Zuzana.

To comply with legal obligations and to safeguard commercially sensitive information, EDA cannot disclose the contractors’ names or the unit prices at this stage and does not comment on ongoing talks.

“We are now offering viable opportunities for Member States to place orders with industry through EDA, either to support Ukraine or to replenish their own national stocks. It is now up to Member States to make full use of these options“.

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Artillery ammunition in Europe should double – Estonian Defence Minister

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said that the production of artillery ammunition in Europe should double shortly to help Ukraine in its military efforts and increase supplies to Europe.

European Union countries are attempting to rapidly increase production of 155 mm artillery shells to assist Ukraine and replenish their stockpiles.

However, years of limited spending have left the European defence industry ill-equipped to rapidly ramp up production following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

EU’s €20 billion plan for long-term financial and military support for Ukraine

In late August, the European Union’s defence ministers discussed long-term financial support for the Ukrainian military in €20 billion. The EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell presented the €20 billion plan. It allocates €5 billion yearly for weapons and training programs for 2024-2027.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said the goal is to put EU military support for Ukraine on a more structured basis and move away from the ad hoc payments made under the European Peace Fund.

In 2022-23, Ukraine received 5.6 billion euros in military aid from a budgetary mechanism separate from the EU budget, which reimburses EU member states for supplying weapons to Ukraine and other non-EU countries. 

The EU’s top diplomat noted that the EU member states have jointly transferred approximately 224,000 artillery shells and 2,300 missiles from their stockpiles.

EU plan to deliver to Ukraine one million rounds of ammunition

In March 2023, the EU Council approved a three-track plan to supply Ukraine with one million artillery shells. It includes the following steps: 1) supplying from its stockpiles, 2) signing contracts with private companies, and 3) expanding domestic shell production.

The two-billion-euro plan envisages providing Ukraine with one million rounds of ammunition within 12 months. Ukraine needs much ammo during an extended period to repel Russian invasion troops and liberate occupied territories as the war continues over 18 months.

Josep Borrell also said that the EU would fulfil its goal of training 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of October, so he offered to increase their number to 40,000.