The European Commission has committed a billion euros to increasing ammunition production and aid Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) has been adopted to provide ammunition and missiles to Ukraine, and help EU Member States refill their stocks.
As far back as October of last year, it was reported that NATO member states – many of which are in the EU – are experiencing a critical weapons and munitions shortage after pouring huge amounts of their stocks into Ukraine.
NATO experiencing weapon shortage after pouring arms into Ukraine
The topic of strained weapons supply is reportedly coming up “all the time” among NATO countries – particularly smaller ones – according to Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur last year.
This new Act is hoping to address this issue, while continuing to aid the embattled Eastern European country in its conflict with Russia.
By introducing targeted measures, including financing, the Act aims to ramp up the EU’s production capacity and address the current shortage of ammunition and missiles, as well as their components. It also aims to strengthen the responsiveness and ability of the Union’s defence industry to ensure the timely supply of ammunition and missiles in Europe.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reiterated the fact that the EU would “stand by our promise to support Ukraine…for as long as it takes” – a claim previously also made by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Leo Varadkar says he wants Ukraine to join the EU “as quickly as possible,” and that Ireland will support the embattled country “for as long as it takes.”#gripthttps://t.co/Y2RirwMSXm
— gript (@griptmedia) February 9, 2023
However, she added: “But Ukraine’s brave soldiers need sufficient military equipment to defend their country. Europe is stepping up its support.”
“Together with the Member States, we will mobilise a further 1 billion euro to ramp up capacities across Europe,” von der Leyen said.
“This is a critical part of Europe‘s strategic capacity to defend its interests and values, and help maintain peace on our continent.”
According to a report last week by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), total global military spending has reached an all-time record high as of last year, with Europe returning to “Cold War levels” of arms expenditure.
“Cold war levels of military expenditure”: Global military spending has reached a new all-time record high, with the biggest spike “by far” seen in Europe, according to a new report.#gripthttps://t.co/TxlxE07uNO
— gript (@griptmedia) April 28, 2023
As of earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has asked Ireland to send more non-lethal military equipment to assist his country, in addition to the gear and equipment already supplied earlier in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has asked Ireland to send more non-lethal military aid, including body armour, oil and engineering equipment.#gripthttps://t.co/yjZMZvjsrm
— gript (@griptmedia) February 10, 2023
Ireland to fund provision of non-lethal equipment to Ukrainian military https://t.co/qsqEej9Ald
— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) February 27, 2022
Certain government Junior Ministers have already called on the Irish government to send lethal anti-tank weaponry to Ukraine.
Ireland could send 60 of these to #Ukraine this week. Ireland should send them this week. https://t.co/C0kaYclXbg
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) March 2, 2022
According to Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), criminals across Europe have already begun to acquire military arms which were meant to go to Ukrainian forces to help with their war against Russia.
Finnish authorities have reported that grenades, rifles and explosives sent to Ukraine may have already ended up in the hands of criminals across Europe.#gripthttps://t.co/Qw7xwn0A3s
— gript (@griptmedia) November 2, 2022
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