Defense industrial base

DOD Expanding Defense Weapons Production Capacity for Ukraine

The U.S. is modernizing its defense industrial base to increase its capacity to produce weapons systems and other items being sent to Ukraine as part of security assistance packages, including Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Javelin anti-armor systems and 155-millimeter artillery rounds.

Doug Bush, the Army’s assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology and a former Potomac Officers Club event speaker, said the U.S. expects to produce over 80,000 artillery rounds monthly by 2025, a significant increase compared to the current 24,000 artillery rounds manufactured each month.

Ramping up production capacity for critical capabilities is meant to support Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia’s ongoing military aggression and ensure the U.S. military can rapidly replenish stockpiles for training and readiness, the Department of Defense said. The U.S. has committed $43 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

According to Bush, U.S. weapons remain highly effective in combat, noting that they are the result of decades-long testing and development efforts.