Ukraine faces ammo deficit as round production ramp-up hampered by gunpowder supply issues
It is difficult for Ukraine to establish its own production of projectiles due to the "global shortage of gunpowder," The Financial Times writes.
"We understand we should produce this here in Ukraine because all around the world it’s finished, it’s depleted. All the warehouses are empty," the Ukrainian PM told FT.
He noted that in 2023, the production of Ukrainian drones increased to tens of thousands, and Kyiv redirected the budget to air defense, artillery and other military sectors.
Journalists cite the words of an unnamed Ukrainian official who said that it is not possible to quickly establish the production of projectiles, which was possible with drones, in particular due to the "global shortage of gunpowder", key components and raw materials.
Recently, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov stated that the military-industrial complex of Ukraine is working "at full capacity", and noted that the country does not have its own gunpowder production.
"People think that [we] are sitting there and don't want to do anything. It's not baking bread, it's complicated processes. Those who don't understand what military-industrial complex is are criticizing. We're talking about projectiles. Do these smart-asses appreciate that we don't have gunpowder production, which today is worth its weight in gold? No one wants to share in the world. Gunpowder production cannot be established quickly," said Danilov.
