Poland and EU strive to increase ammunition production

(Patria) - Officials from Poland and the European Union discussed artillery ammunition production as part of a new two-billion-euro program to supply Ukraine and replenish stocks in Europe, AP reported.

EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton visited the DEZAMET S.A. ammunition factory in Nowa Deba, southeastern Poland, accompanied by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.

The visit followed just days after Brussels announced a reimbursement program for states offering artillery ammunition to Ukraine from a fund worth one billion euros. The program also aims to spend an equal amount on increasing production in 11 countries with such production capacity.

Breton said the EU is "determined" to do what is necessary quickly in light of a conflict expected to last. He also encouraged other EU countries to deliver ammunition to Ukraine as soon as possible.

Morawiecki said ammunition is what the Ukrainian armed forces need most urgently, and Kyiv should receive one million shells later this year. He stated that Ukraine uses up to 6,000 artillery shells per day, compared to Russian forces using 50,000 various types of ammunition per day.

Officials said Europe must urgently increase ammunition production and called on EU member states to transfer their existing stocks to Ukraine.