The U.S. Army is seeking approval from Congress for a $3.1 billion budget to purchase 155 millimeter artillery rounds and expand production, according to an Army official. This move comes as stocks have been depleted due to shipments to Ukraine and Israel. The U.S. and its allies have already sent over 2 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine to support their efforts against Russia’s invasion, which has been ongoing for over 600 days. Additionally, the U.S. has provided artillery support to Israel in its fight against Hamas.
Doug Bush, the Army’s chief weapons buyer, stated that the additional funding being considered by Congress as part of President Joe Biden’s $106 billion request would be used to modernize and construct 155 millimeter artillery production facilities across various states, including Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and California. Bush emphasized that this funding would not only expand production lines but also strengthen the American economy and create new job opportunities.
Out of the $3.1 billion allocated for 155 artillery, approximately half would be directed towards boosting industrial capacity, while the remaining funds would be used to purchase rounds, according to Bush. He also mentioned that other parts of Biden’s supplemental request would go towards expanding the production of other munitions, including an increase in the annual production rate of Patriot air defense interceptors from 550 to 650.
The demand for 155 mm artillery rounds has significantly increased since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As allies rush to provide support to Kyiv, their own supplies for defense have been depleted, leading to the need for additional shells. The U.S. aims to ramp up its monthly production rate for 155 millimeter artillery shells to 100,000 by 2025.
General Dynamics, in its recent earnings report, acknowledged the positive impact of Pentagon spending in replacing equipment sent to Ukraine, including 155 millimeter artillery.
