The European Union has announced plans to significantly increase its ammunition production this year, a move driven by Ukraine’s urgent pleas for support in its ongoing war against Russia. Thierry Breton, the EU internal market commissioner, declared that the bloc aims to produce at least 1.3 million rounds of ammunition by the end of 2024. This announcement came during Breton’s visit to Estonia, underscoring the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and enhancing collective security in Europe.
This strategic decision comes as Ukraine continues to face a “pressing” need for ammunition, with its Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba calling for greater efforts to stop Russia from sourcing key components for its weapons. Kuleba urged the West to get serious about hampering Russia’s ability to produce weapons, highlighting that many critical components found in Russian weapons destroyed in Ukraine come from Western countries.
The EU’s move to ramp up ammunition production is a clear indication of its resolve to support Ukraine and contribute more actively to the security landscape in Europe. Breton emphasized that most of the increased production would be directed towards Ukraine, addressing its urgent requirements. He also mentioned that by March or April, the EU nations would achieve a production capacity target of one million ammunition shells annually, with plans to further enhance this capacity in the following year.
This announcement marks a crucial moment for Europe’s collective security and defense strategy, reflecting a more proactive and supportive stance towards Ukraine. It also indicates a shift in the EU’s approach to dealing with global conflicts, especially in the face of Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine.
