The US Army announced that Congress increased its funding allocation from $3 billion to $6 billion for the purchase and production of 155-millimeter artillery rounds.
This increase is to replenish stocks that have been depleted due to support provided to Ukraine and now Israel, according to an Army official.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a significant surge in demand for these artillery rounds, as allies have been supplying large quantities to Kyiv, which uses thousands daily.
Doug Bush, the Army’s chief weapons buyer, expressed that the funding increase to $6 billion in the newly signed $95 billion supplemental bill represents strong support as they aim to boost production to 100,000 shells per month by the summer of 2025.
This production increase is also beneficial to defence contractors like General Dynamics, which profits from Pentagon contracts to replace military supplies sent to Ukraine.
Washington is finalizing one of the largest military aid packages for Ukraine, preparing to sign weapons contracts worth $6 billion.
The US is expected to announce these contracts for Ukraine, although their delivery may take several years.
The reported contracts will include Patriot air defence systems, artillery ammunition, drones, anti-aircraft weapons, and air-to-air missiles.
It’s anticipated that Kyiv won’t receive these weapons for several years, as the funds are allocated through the Security Assistance Initiative for Ukraine.
This means the US government will contract American defense companies to produce new technology and equipment for Ukraine, rather than sending existing weapons from the Pentagon’s inventory.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg recently stated that the United States and Europe haven’t fulfilled promised military support to Ukraine in recent months.
