EU's Shell Supply Milestone for Ukraine: Progress Amidst Challenges

The European Union plans to surpass supplying one million artillery shells to Ukraine by year-end. Despite initial targets set for March 2025, challenges in production capacity have been overcome with increased efforts, including a separate initiative by the Czech Republic and Ukraine's boost in domestic defence production.

The European Union has taken significant strides in boosting Ukraine's defense capabilities by supplying nearly 1 million shells in its ongoing conflict with Russia. EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, announced ambitions to surpass the 1 million mark by the end of the year, despite earlier missed targets.

Initially, the EU aimed to provide 1 million 155-mm artillery shells by March 2025. However, officials soon realized that production levels were not meeting the ambitious goals. 'We committed to achieving this by spring, and we failed. But we are on track to meet this by the year's end,' Borrell stated.

In addition to the EU's efforts, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Prague's separate initiative to contribute 500,000 shells. Ukraine is also ramping up its domestic defense production to reduce reliance on allies, with top arms officials reporting an impressive increase in the production of mortar shells.

(With inputs from agencies.)