Ukraine Announces Domestic Production of 155mm Artillery Shells

Ukraine has commenced the domestic production of 155mm artillery shells, marking milestone for the nation’s defense industry. The news was confirmed by Oleksandr Kamyshin, the president’s strategic advisor and former Minister of Strategic Industries, during an interview with Norwegian publication Nettavisen.

“I cannot reveal much, but we have started producing 155mm artillery shells,” Kamyshin stated. He also highlighted that defense production in Ukraine has doubled since the onset of the full-scale war with Russia, and he expects this output to triple by the end of 2024.

The groundwork for this production began in June 2023, as confirmed by Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s state defense conglomerate. At the time, company spokesperson Natalia Sad revealed that the organization had been focusing on mastering the production of 155mm shells. This caliber has become increasingly significant for Ukraine’s military, as more artillery systems using these rounds have been integrated into the country’s defense.

By August 2024, Ukroboronprom had completed testing of the 155mm shells and prepared for mass production. Representatives of the conglomerate stated that the first batch had already been manufactured and that multiple state and private enterprises were working to ramp up production.

In addition to this domestic effort, Ukraine has received critical support from Norway. The Norwegian government granted Ukraine the necessary technology and licenses to produce 155mm shells using Norwegian methodologies. This cooperation has accelerated the production timeline, ensuring that Ukrainian forces will have faster access to ammunition supplies. Kamyshin expressed his gratitude to Norway for its assistance, noting that the technology transfer would benefit not only Ukraine but the broader international community.