Ukrainian Armor, a member of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI), plans to begin production of 105 mm M1 artillery ammunition in 2026. The company states that it has the technical capacity to manufacture up to 100,000 rounds annually.
This was announced by the company's CEO, Vladyslav Belbas, in an interview for the joint NV and The Economist project The World Ahead 2026. He emphasized that reaching these maximum production volumes would be possible only if the state provides confirmed orders and advance payments.
Read more: Ukrainian Armor Doubles Armored Vehicle Production, Explains Why Mortars Remain at 2024 Levels
Regarding 155 mm artillery ammunition, Ukrainian Armor cited indicative figures of up to 240,000 M107 rounds and 60,000 extended-range ERFB-BT (Extended Range Full Bore – Boat Tail) shells. However, the key question remains whether the state will be able to secure the required funding.
Ukrainian Armor notes that it operates under a license from the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which maintains its own propellant production facilities. In addition, CSG provides full technical documentation, quality control standards, and ready-made technological solutions, significantly simplifying the establishment of production in Ukraine.
From Defense Express's perspective, although relatively few 105 mm artillery systems have been supplied to Ukraine, this caliber still occupies a distinct niche. Its advantages include lighter weight, ease of transportation, and improved concealment at firing positions. Moreover, given that Ukraine has tested domestically developed artillery systems in this caliber, producing indigenous ammunition for them is a logical step.
The M1 is a 105 mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a maximum firing range of up to 11.5 km. Its warhead contains approximately 2.18 kg of explosives, while the total projectile weight is 18.15 kg. Overall, it is a standard round for its caliber and is widely used by armed forces in many countries.
In terms of overall output, the ammunition production figures announced by Ukrainian Armor already exceed the existing capacities of many European countries. With sufficient state funding, this output could cover a portion of the Defense Forces' needs and potentially allow for further expansion.
However, the core challenge remains Ukraine's limited budget for procuring domestically produced defense industry products. Partner countries have partially stepped in to support such efforts—for example, in the case of the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer mounted on Zetros trucks—but substantially greater funding will be required.
Read more: Bundeswehr Orders RCH 155 Howitzers for the First Time, Leaving a Loophole That Could Benefit Ukraine
