First Contracts for Arms Procurement for Ukraine Signed in the EU

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has signed eight contracts with European industry partners for the joint procurement of 155mm ammunition for Ukraine.

This significant development was reported by the EDA's press office.

High Representative Josep Borrell, who also serves as the Head of the European Defence Agency, stated, "We are taking another step forward in our initiative on three directions of ammunition. Now, member countries can place orders under these eight framework contracts. Time is of the essence. Putin shows no signs of ending his aggression against the Ukrainian people. Therefore, our military support for Ukraine must continue."

Jiri Sedivy, the Executive Director of the EDA, noted, "The signing of these framework contracts between the EDA and the European defence industry demonstrates our ability to swiftly secure the best possible deals for EU member states and Norway. We are now offering member states viable options to place orders in the industry through the EDA, either to support Ukraine or to replenish their own national stockpiles. It is now up to member states to fully utilize these opportunities."

This contract signing marks the first step towards using the European Union for collective arms procurement.

Thanks to these contracts, EU member states and Norway will have the opportunity to procure 155mm ammunition through the EDA, which will act as the procurement agency.

The acquired ammunition is intended for the most widely used self-propelled howitzers that EU member states have provided to Ukraine, including the French Caesar, Polish Krab, German Panzerhaubitze 2000, and Slovak Zuzana.

Further framework contracts for other artillery systems are expected to be concluded soon.

To adhere to legal obligations and protect commercial confidentiality, the EDA cannot disclose the names of contractors or unit prices at this stage, nor can it comment on ongoing negotiations.

These framework contracts are part of a trilateral approach to supplying a larger quantity of artillery ammunition and missiles to Ukraine.

As previously reported by The Gaze, the war initiated by Russia in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the approaches to defence capabilities in EU countries.

In early July, the Council of the European Union reached an agreement with the European Parliament to adopt the so-called Ammunition Support Act (ASAP), which will enable EU countries to increase ammunition production by attracting an additional €500 million. It is expected that the document will also help establish the "Expansion Fund," which will facilitate European ammunition manufacturers' access to public and private financing. Specifically, this instrument will provide support in the form of grants.