In view of Ukraine’s large ammunition needs, the EU is working on a new procurement procedure. This was confirmed by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Sunday at the Munich Security Conference.
According to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, the aim is to use a procedure similar to that used to ensure the rapid procurement of vaccines during the corona pandemic. According to Kallas, EU states should make money available, with which large orders can then be placed with the armaments industry via the EU. The process could ensure that industry can make the investments needed to expand production.
“Russia fires as many artillery shells in one day as Europe produces in one month,” added Kallas, pointing out that the Russian defense industry is currently working in three shifts. In the EU, production capacities would have to be expanded quickly. Ukraine cannot win the war without ammunition. Borrell said, “We’re in war mode.” It’s now a matter of reacting quickly.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had already campaigned for purchase guarantees for the defense industry at the security conference on Saturday. These could give companies the opportunity to invest more quickly in production lines and increase delivery volumes, she explained.
According to Kallas, the so-called European Peace Facility could also play a role. It is a financing instrument through which the EU already supports arms and equipment supplies to Ukraine and training programs for the armed forces. 3.6 billion euros have already been released to support the Ukrainian armed forces.
