U.S. plans to increase monthly production of 155mm rounds to 80,000

Due to an urgent need for 155 mm artillery rounds since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States plans to increase their production to more than 80,000 per month as early as next year.

This was stated on Thursday by the spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense, General Patrick Ryder, who spoke at a briefing in the Pentagon, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports.

"We’ve provided to date over 2 million 155 mm ammo rounds to Ukraine since the start of the fight. We’ve also enabled a rapid increase in 155 mm rounds’ production from 14,000 a month in February 2022 to approximately 24,000 a month currently, and we plan to be at over 80,000 a month over the following year,” the official noted.

He emphasized that these munitions are utilized quickly, while their stockpiles are not unlimited. However, the United States, in addition to expanding production, is also in contact with “allies and partners around the world on that front”, the general added.

Ryder recalled that while the USA and other countries are boosting the output of artillery rounds, deliveries of cluster munitions to Ukraine continue. At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine uses them as intended. "We have all indications that they’re employing those weapons properly on the battlefield."

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on Thursday, the White House turned to Congress requesting additional multibillion-dollar funding to support Ukraine.