The US Army is investing nearly $640 million to procure 155mm High Explosive rounds, a move aimed at bolstering its Special Ammunition and Weapons Systems (SAWS) program.
The contract, which runs until July 10, 2027, was awarded to Global Military Products under a firm-fixed-price deal. It stands as one of the army’s biggest munitions acquisitions this year.
The SAWS program is designed to acquire ammunition and weapons systems that have not undergone full army safety testing or type classification. These “non-standard” systems are often legacy weapons used by allied nations, particularly those developed in the former Soviet Union or Eastern Bloc countries.
SAWS also provides a pathway to support partners who rely on these older platforms to ensure interoperability without compromising safety standards.
Goal to Increase US Ammunition Production
For the army, this contract ensures continuity in supplying artillery ammunition amid rising demand in multiple regions.
Army spokesperson Steve Warren in July reported that production has ramped up to 40,000 shells per month, more than double the roughly 15,000 rounds produced monthly in 2022. Defense officials have set a target of reaching 100,000 rounds per month by mid-2026.
In August, the US Army awarded MSM Group North America a contract to construct the Future Artillery Complex, a key modernization effort for the nation’s ammunition production infrastructure.
The facility is part of the Department of Defense’s broader initiative to revitalize the “aging industrial base,” supporting the army’s objectives of boosting 155mm artillery round production and replenishing stockpiles.
