Poland to Increase Ammunition Manufacturing
The country lacks the capacity to produce 155 mm artillery rounds from scratch, but it has sent some to Ukraine.
A senior official in Poland is looking to increase ammunition production in preparation for a potential attack by Russia on a NATO member country.
Maciej Idzik, a board member of the state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), stated that Poland aims to fill its warehouses with ammunition and establish independent production capacity within five to eight years.
PGZ needs 24 months to start production of all necessary parts to produce about 100,000 rounds annually.
In July, NATO emphasized the shift in security dynamics in Europe following Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Crimea and strengthened readiness to protect its Allies.
Poland is NATO’s third-largest military spender in Europe, allocating 3.9 percent of its GDP to defense, almost double NATO’s 2 percent target.
In response to the changing security landscape, the European Commission earmarked 500 million euros to boost ammunition production capacity to 2 million rounds per year by 2025.
Russia’s military capabilities pose a potential threat to NATO allies in five to eight years, as noted by Germany’s Lt. Gen. Carsten Breuer.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied plans to attack any NATO country, but experts caution against underestimating Russia’s ambitions and capabilities.
It is crucial for NATO to remain vigilant and prepared for any potential challenges posed by Russia in the future.
