Ukraine’s Explosive Challenge: Ramp Up of Mortar Production Amid Global Shortage

Ukraine has dramatically increased its mortar shell production following Russia's invasion, but progress is hindered by a global shortage of explosives. Kyiv aims to reduce reliance on Western aid and expand domestic weapons production. The country faces challenges despite increased output, especially compared to Russia’s large-scale production.

In the aftermath of Russia's invasion, Ukraine has significantly ramped up its production of mortar shells from virtually nothing to millions annually. However, this expansion is stymied by a worldwide shortage of explosives, as noted by Kyiv’s top arms official.

Herman Smetanin, Ukraine's strategic industries minister, indicates that the country is striving to reduce its dependence on Western military aid. Critical to this effort are mortar shells, valued for their cost-effectiveness and efficacy in combating Russian assaults in the east. Despite increased production in various artillery types, supply chain issues persist.

Smetanin highlights that Ukraine’s production capacity is hindered by bottlenecks and high global demand. Although strides have been made in manufacturing artillery shells, including the highly sought 155mm calibre, Ukraine's output remains far behind Russia’s extensive production capabilities.