Poland is gearing up for a massive ammunition production surge, aiming to boost annual output of 155mm artillery shells sixfold — from around 30,000 to 180,000 — by 2027.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the plan during his visit to the Polish Nitro-Chem ammunition factory in Bydgoszcz, which is Europe’s current key supplier of TNT, to fully cover the Polish army’s needs and reduce reliance on imports.
The development follows Poland’s Armaments Group’s (PGZ) round of investments aimed at increasing 155mm ammunition production among four state-owned companies, including an earmarked budget of $31.2 million for Nitro-Chem to acquire technological lines.
Tusk recalled that in 2023, the year he began to serve as prime minister, Warsaw produced 5,000 155mm shells annually.
“This year — two years after my government came to power — we will reach around 30,000 units. Meanwhile, achieving about 180,000 per year within the next two years is a very realistic goal,” Ukrinform quoted him as saying.
As a country bordering Ukraine on its eastern side, Poland’s planned ammunition output offers it and its allies the critical firepower needed amid Kyiv’s prolonged combat with Russia and tightening ammunition stocks across Europe.
155mm Shells
The 155mm caliber is the standard artillery shell size used by NATO forces, and its increased production will enhance interoperability among the nations.
Despite not being a NATO member, Ukraine still relies heavily on 155mm shells, since it receives and operates military aid and equipment from Western allies.
In addition, the 155mm shells offer superior range, accuracy, and technological advantages compared to Soviet-era calibers, such as the 152mm.
