Four companies from the Polish Arms Group (PGZ) will receive 2.4 billion zlotys ($664.8 million) in funding from the Ministry of State Assets for a project to build three ammunition factories. Reuters reported.
Poland is at the forefront of European efforts to boost its defense readiness to deter any potential attack from Russia and be less dependent on the United States for its security.
The ammunition factories will include the production of 155-millimeter artillery shells, demand for which has surged since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and European stocks have been depleted by additional supplies of shells to Kiev. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened security concerns among neighboring countries, leading to increased defense measures. The conflict has unsettled the region, prompting countries such as Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership.
PGZ wants to increase annual ammunition production capacity to 150,000 shells in the next 2-3 years. PGZ head Adam Leszkiewicz stressed that the goal is to produce 150,000 shells per year by 2028 at the latest.
"Our goal is to increase domestic production of this type of ammunition, which is key on the modern battlefield, as soon as possible," said Minister of State Assets Jakub Jaworowski.