EU Council and European Parliament agree to increase ammunition and missiles production
Photo: Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles (Getty Image)
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have agreed on the draft regulation for the "Amplified Support for Ammunition Production" (ASAP), which envisages the production of up to 1 million ammunition per year, according to the press service of the EU Council.
The agreed position will allow for the urgent allocation of 500 million euros from the EU budget to support the expansion of production capacities for producing "surface-to-surface" ammunition, artillery ammunition, and missiles.
Thus, the plan for a long-term increase in ammunition production in Europe for Ukraine and EU member states will be implemented.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles noted that due to today's record-fast agreement on ASAP, the European Union will strengthen and expedite its production of ammunition and missiles in Europe.
The agreement now needs to be approved by the EU Council and the European Parliament. It is expected to be signed and entered into force by the end of July.
Ammunition for Ukraine
In early May, the EU Council approved a decision to assist Ukraine with 1 billion euros for the joint procuring of ammunition and missiles.
In early June, the European Parliament supported the document on increasing European production of ammunition and missiles.
Following that, the permanent representatives of EU member states agreed on the draft regulation for ASAP.
