Germany plans to increase supply of artillery shells to Ukraine by 3-4 times

This was announced by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Ukrinform reports.

He noted that Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer brought a €100 million aid package during his recent visit to Kyiv. The minister did not provide details. During this trip, Breuer also had the opportunity to meet the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"So, we understand very well what is happening in Ukraine and what it needs," Pistorius assured.

In 2024, Germany will spend 3.5 billion euros on the purchase of ammunition, the most it has ever spent, the politician said. According to his optimistic forecasts, Germany will be able to "increase the supply of artillery to Ukraine by 3-4 times this year compared to 2023". The minister noted that Germany is increasing its own ammunition production, as well as buying it and production lines abroad.

Earlier in the week, Pistorius and Chancellor Olaf Scholz took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Rheinmetall plant for the production of 155mm ammunition in Lower Saxony. Both NATO partners and Ukraine need such ammunition, Pistorius said.

• The German concern Rheinmetall has started building a plant for the production of shells in Lower Saxony. The company wants to produce up to 200,000 artillery shells a year.