The Ukrainian Defense Industry Joint Stock Company (Ukroboronprom) and the US firm D&M Holding Company have formed a joint venture to produce gunpowder in the US for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Announced at the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Rome, the initiative will help overcome the compound’s short supply being faced by the Ukrainian ammunition industry.
Alongside explosives, gunpowder is an essential component for ammunition production and is in high demand around the world.
Being located in the US will also provide the plant with added protection from potential Russian attack.
“We are sincerely grateful to the United States of America for this support and new opportunities,” Ukroboronprom General Director Oleg Hulyak said.
“It is equally important that the enterprise will operate in a safe territory. This project lays the foundation for strengthening production independence and ensuring a higher level of operational readiness of our defense forces.”
To Help Ukraine Scale Up Ammo Production
An additional gunpowder production facility will help Kyiv scale up local ammunition production, including the crucial 155mm artillery rounds.
The country launched the serial production of 155mm shells at a local facility in September, with the goal of becoming self-sufficient in ammunition production.
Prior to that, Ukraine was relying on Soviet-era stockpiles of 152mm artillery and ammunition, supplemented by donated 155mm systems and shells.
“The Ukrainian defense industry must gradually move from large-scale procurement to its own production to meet urgent needs,” Hulyak emphasized.
