The Kyiv Independent launches YouTube series
Skip to content
Edit post

European Parliament adopts plan to increase ammunition production for Ukraine

by Martin Fornusek July 13, 2023 5:57 PM 2 min read
Shells are stored at the workshop of the "Forges de Tarbes," which produces 155mm shells, the munition for French Caesar artillery, in Tarbes, southwestern France, on April 4, 2023. Caesar self-propelled howitzers are being actively used on Ukraine's frontline. (Photo by Lionel Bonaventure/Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Following negotiations with the Council of the EU, the European Parliament adopted the plans on July 13 to increase the EU ammunition and missile production to tackle Ukraine's shortages, allocating 500 million euros ($560 million).

The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) aims to increase the production capacities of ammunition and missiles and to speed up delivery to the Ukrainian military.

ASAP is part of the EU's plan first presented early this year to deliver $2.2 billion worth of artillery rounds to address Ukrainian shortages. The shipments should include both current stocks and newly produced shells.

The Parliament passed the draft bill on ASAP on June 1, after which it was discussed with the Council of the European Union.

The approved version is the result of the agreement between the Council and the Parliament. Based on the negotiations, Members of the European Parliament (MEP) ensured that ASAP covers a more diverse range of projects and that smaller and medium-sized businesses would be eligible for a higher funding rate.

According to the media release, the MEPs also pushed to ensure that EU countries will provide Ukraine with the ammunition funded under this legislation, without it being subject to export restrictions.

The EU's plan to increase its production capacities has been plagued with bureaucracy and the protectionism of individual member states. According to an investigation by the Kyiv Independent and its partners, several European countries seek to use the project to promote their domestic industry.

The MEPs, however, appear confident that the adoption of ASAP is a step in the right direction: "Today's vote marks another step forward for Europe's security and defense and in our steadfast support of Ukraine in the face of the ongoing Russian aggression," said the leader of the Parliament's negotiating team Cristian Busoi.

"We delivered on the most urgent aspect of the law: ensuring the provision of more ammunition for Ukraine. It is a testimony of Europe's solidarity and for our collective security."

The legislation was adopted with 505 votes to 56, with 21 abstentions. It still needs to be endorsed by the Council in order to become law.

Investigation: EU inability to ramp up production behind acute ammunition shortages in Ukraine
Editor’s note: This investigation is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and partners, including The Investigative Desk, Lighthouse Reports, and Follow the Money (Netherlands), El Diario (Spain), Delfi (Estonia), and Libération (France). Key findings: * Over a year into Russia’s full-sca…

News Feed

5:58 AM

Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast injure 8.

Russian forces attacked 14 communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast on Oct. 3, injuring eight people throughout the day, the regional administration reported.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.