Poland begins 155mm artillery charge production
Polish defense company Mesko, in partnership with France’s Eurenco, has announced the start of production of modular propelling charges for 155 mm artillery. The new assembly line is located in Pionki, Poland, and is expected to produce up to 100,000 charges annually.
The development was reported by Adam Swierkowski of Defence24.
The project began in 2024, when Mesko signed an agreement with Eurenco to establish a production line for modular charges in Poland.
Under the arrangement, Eurenco provided technology and production kits from France for so-called “lower charges,” while Mesko was responsible for final assembly using its own propellant materials for 155 mm ammunition.
According to the companies, the assembly line reached operational readiness on July 25 of this year. The products manufactured underwent a certification process and achieved the required quality standards, clearing the way for full-scale production.
In a statement, Renata Gruszczynska, President of the Management Board of Mesko S.A., said: “Thanks to the establishment of strategic cooperation with Eurenco, we are starting a new era in the national program to build independent production of large-caliber artillery ammunition in Poland. We are consistently expanding our ability to produce 155 mm ammunition for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, in order to strengthen Poland’s position in the international system of security and defense.”
The companies announced that production will now move ahead at a scale sufficient to meet both national and potential allied requirements. With a target output of 100,000 modular charges per year, the new line is expected to provide the Polish defense industry with expanded capabilities in artillery manufacturing.
Modular propelling charges are a key component of modern 155 mm artillery systems, used to adjust the range and performance of rounds fired from self-propelled howitzers and towed guns. Their production in Poland represents an important step toward increasing independence in ammunition supply at a time of rising demand across Europe.
Mesko’s integration of this technology provides Poland with critical competencies in large-caliber ammunition production, complementing existing efforts to expand output of artillery shells and propellants. The company has been engaged in broader modernization efforts to meet the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces and NATO allies.
For Eurenco, the partnership extends its role as a major supplier of propellant technology to European defense industries. The transfer of production technology and expertise has allowed Mesko to establish an indigenous capability while maintaining quality assurance through certified processes.
The announcement underscores Warsaw’s continuing push to enhance domestic defense production in response to the regional security environment. With artillery playing a central role in modern conflict, Poland has prioritized investments in ammunition and propellant manufacturing to ensure readiness and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
As production scales up, the Mesko-Eurenco partnership is expected to supply the Polish Armed Forces with a steady flow of modular charges for its 155 mm Krab self-propelled howitzers and other NATO-standard artillery systems.
