A lack of raw materials and long production cycles prevent the West from adapting projectile production to Ukraine’s needs.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has caused a noticeable increase in projectile production in Western countries, but due to a lack of raw materials and long production cycles, it still does not meet Ukraine’s needs, notes the FT. Companies also need long-term contracts to raise capital and increase production capacity.

1. Germany’s Rheinmetall had a 100,000-unit 155 mm shell annual production capacity in February 2022, and annual production will reach 1.1 million by 2027.
2. Sweden’s Saab has doubled its production capacity to 200,000 shells annually and plans to double this soon.
3. Thales UK in Britain plans to double its production capacity in Northern Ireland in two years and to double it again by 2028.
4. Australia’s NIOA, together with Rheinmetall, have built a new plant and had planned to begin producing 55,000 shells per year next year. Thanks to further investment, that figure can be increased to 100,000.

At the same time, the Russian army fires 10,000 shells per day or 300,000 per month at toward Ukraine Armed Forces and civilians.