US plans to triple artillery shell production, Pentagon confirms

The United States intends to significantly ramp up the production of 155mm artillery shells to 80,000 units per month starting next year, more than tripling the current rate of approximately 24,000 rounds per month, Pentagon spokesperson General Patrick Ryder reported on Aug. 11.

Rider said that the United States has already provided Ukraine with over 2 million 155mm shells since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

“We’ve also enabled a rapid increase in 155mm ammo production.  So from 14,000 a month in February of ‘22 to approximately 24,000 a month currently, and we plan to be at over 80,000 a month over the following year,” Ryder said.

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While acknowledging that these reserves are finite and being depleted rapidly, the United States continues to “closely with allies and partners around the world on that front,” the spokesperson said.

Responding to questions from journalists about the use of cluster munitions provided by the United States to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ryder stated that there is evidence indicating the appropriate deployment of this weaponry on military targets.

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“We have all indications that they’re employing those weapons properly on the battlefield, as they indicated they would,” Ryder said.

“But 155 (mm shells) aside, whatever they need, we’re going to continue to work closely to ensure that they have what’s necessary to continue the fight and to take back sovereign territory,” he said.

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