The EU  severely overestimated its ability to produce 155-mm projectiles for Ukraine.

A study shows that as of June, the EU has provided Ukraine with 50% fewer shells than promised, and those have seen significant delays. In the spring of this year, the European Commission announced that the European capacity to produce 155-mm projectiles reached one million per year in January.

Three months later, the Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union, Thierry Breton, announced that by the end of the current year EU manufacturers will reach a production capacity of 1.7 million shells annually, which will continue to grow. But defense industry officials say production growth across Europe needs to catch up, with current total capacity at around 580,000 units a year.

Arms companies explain that the problem is a global shortage of gunpowder and explosives and a lack of funds to finance the industry because authorities in Western countries are reluctant to sign long-term contracts with the industry. In addition, not all shells are being sent to Ukraine because the EU countries keep ammunition for themselves.