The United States has inked a substantial contract valued at $1.5 billion to procure explosives intended for the production of ammunition earmarked for Ukraine, as confirmed by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), a Polish defense holding company, on Friday.
Previously reserved for Ukraine, reports from a US news portal on Thursday indicated that the Pentagon was contemplating sending tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells to Israel.
In a statement, PGZ revealed, “The US armed forces have formalized agreements totaling $1.5 billion with nine firms spanning four countries, including Nitro-Chem S.A., a chemical plant situated in Bydgoszcz and an integral part of the Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa defense conglomerate.”
These contracts have been executed in anticipation of a surge in the production of 155mm caliber artillery ammunition, intended for delivery to Ukraine.
The pivotal explosive component required for the manufacturing of 155mm artillery ammunition is TNT, with Nitro-Chem chemical plant being the primary supplier to the US Army.
The timeline for fulfilling this contract spans from 2023 to 2026, according to statements from the defense holding.
Since the commencement of the Russian military operation in February 2022, Western nations have been extending military assistance to Ukraine, evolving from artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weaponry, including tanks, in subsequent years.
It’s worth noting that the Kremlin has consistently cautioned against the continued supply of arms to Kyiv.
