Seven EU countries have ordered 155mm artillery shells under the European Defense Agency's (EDA) fast-track procedure to deliver the ammunition needed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and replenish their own depleted stockpiles. The purchase is part of a €2 billion plan launched in March to deliver 1 million artillery shells and missiles to Ukraine over the course of a year.

As Reuters noted, the 155-caliber shells are among the most important in the intense fighting in Ukraine. "Seven [EU] member states have already placed orders for 155mm ammunition under the accelerated EDA procedure," the agency said in response to a journalist's request.

Some officials expressed skepticism that the procurement goal would be met. However, the initiative "marks a significant step in the EU's growing role in defense," the author of the article said.

The EDA declined to name specific states, saying that this is something that can be commented on by each individual government. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense confirmed its participation in the procurement as of September 29.

The agency also did not name the specific value and number of orders, explaining that most of the information is confidential. At the same time, the EDA disclosed that the contracts were for both finished shells and components (fuzes, charges, capsules).

The ammunition ordered by the EU countries is used by artillerymen of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in French CAESAR, Polish Krab, German PzH2000 and Slovak Zuzana.

After placing an order by the end of September, states have the right to apply for reimbursement of the costs of ammunition purchased for Ukraine from the EU fund.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- "Meanwhile, the United States is actively expanding and improving its factories specializing in the production of mortar systems and BCs. This is provoked by the fact that Russia's war against Ukraine has increased the demand for mortars around the world.

- It is also known that the United States plans to increase the monthly production of 155-mm artillery shells in two years.

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