BRUSSELS: European Union (EU) negotiators reached a significant agreement Friday, finalizing a comprehensive plan to enhance ammunition production within the bloc.
The initiative, known as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), will inject an impressive $545 million (500 million euros) into the manufacturing of artillery shells and missiles.
Margarita Robles, Spain’s defence minister and the current holder of the EU’s rotating presidency, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This is yet another testament to the unwavering commitment of the EU in supporting Ukraine.” The urgency behind this plan arises from the pressing need to replenish depleted arsenals and equip Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression, according to Arab News.
Brussels aspires to bolster the bloc’s production capacity to a staggering one million shells annually within the next 12 months. This ambitious goal aims to assist European allies in meeting the demands of Ukraine’s fight against Russia, which has strained their existing ammunition supplies. Remarkably swift negotiations were carried out between EU member states and lawmakers to expedite the implementation of this plan, which now awaits final approval from the European Parliament and individual member capitals.
The ASAP programme will allocate funds to firms seeking to enhance their production capacity. Additionally, EU member states have already introduced a separate two-billion-euro initiative, enabling the shipment of one million shells to Ukraine from their own stocks throughout this year, while also collectively procuring ammunition for Kyiv. Nevertheless, the bloc has yet to achieve its objective of sending a million howitzer shells to support Kyiv’s operations.
Ukrainian forces have faced a dire shortage of ammunition as they persevere in dislodging Moscow’s troops from occupied territories. The grueling counter-offensive necessitates a steady supply of munitions, prompting the EU to address this critical issue. Since the all-out invasion by Russia last February, the EU has already furnished Ukraine with weaponry valued at approximately 15 billion euros.
The agreement reached by EU negotiators represents a significant step in supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities and reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to the nation’s security. As the plan moves forward to seek final approval, the EU stands set to play a pivotal role in equipping Ukraine with the necessary resources to confront ongoing threats and safeguard its territorial integrity.
