Ukroboronprom's partner planning to grow production of shells more than fivefold

The Polish state concern Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa is going to increase the production of artillery shells more than fivefold, Sebastian Chwalek, head of the enterprise, said in an interview with PAP.

"We are serious and ready to significantly increase production capacity. Today, our capacity is 30,000-40,000 artillery rounds per year. We want to increase it to more than 200,000 pieces per year," Chwalek stated.

The increase in production will follow two programs: for the Polish army and the Armed Forces of Ukraine within the framework of joint purchases of projectiles by the European Union.

At the beginning of May, the Council of the EU approved the allocation of 1 billion euros for the purchase of missiles and 155 mm projectiles for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility and presented a plan to increase the production of artillery, mortar, and rocket ammunition, for which 500 million euros will be allocated from the EU budget.

Chwalek said that Poland is going to create a full production cycle of artillery shells. For this, a nitrocellulose plant will have to be restored in the town of Pionki, in order to increase the production of the main component of gunpowder.

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa is a partner of the state defense concern Ukroboronprom, with the help of which Ukraine started its own production of tank shells.

In addition, a hub for the repair of Ukrainian tanks was opened at the facilities of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa.