Ukraine starts producing 155mm shells

Ukraine has launched its own production of 155mm artillery shells.

Presidential Advisor on Strategic Affairs Oleksandr Kamyshyn announced this in an exclusive interview with the Norwegian publication Nettavisen.

“I cannot say much, but we have started our own production of 155 mm artillery shells,” he said.

In addition, he shared that during his tenure as Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, the production of defense materials in Ukraine has doubled.

“It will triple by the end of the year. We continue to move forward,” Kamyshyn emphasized.

Production of 155mm shells in Ukraine

Work on launching the production of 155mm shells in Ukraine was first reported in early June 2023. Nataliia Sad, a spokesperson for Ukroboronprom, announced this during a briefing on “Production of weapons and equipment for the needs of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine.”

“We are working to learn how to make this ammunition, because it is no secret that the military is saturated with artillery systems of this caliber. Therefore, it is a prospect for us to master its production,” the spokesperson said at the time.

At that time, Ukroboronprom had already mastered the production of 82-mm mortar shells, 122-mm and 152-mm artillery shells, and 125-mm tank shells.

And on August 8, 2024, it was reported that Ukroboronprom had completed testing of 155-mm artillery ammunition and was preparing for its mass production in the second half of 2024.

“The first batch has already been manufactured. Active work is underway at several state and private defense industry enterprises to establish mass production of 155 mm shells,” Ukroboronprom representatives shared.

In mid-June 2024, it was reported that Ukraine began producing OG-9U fragmentation grenades for 73 mm 2A28 Grom BMP-1 gun and an SPG-9 grenade launcher.

And on September 12, 2024, photos of Ukrainian-made 5.45×39 and 5.56×45mm military ammunition were released.