NATO faces cotton shortage needed to produce artillery propellant
NATO countries face cotton shortage for artillery propellant production (photo: Getty Images)
NATO countries are facing an acute shortage of cotton needed to produce propellants for artillery ammunition, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Nitrocellulose (guncotton) remains the key component in the production of smokeless propellant for artillery shells. The compound is made from linters, the short, fuzzy fibers left behind after cotton seeds are processed.
Limited cotton supplies have become one of the main obstacles preventing the Alliance from expanding its ammunition stockpiles.
"NATO does not have enough resources. Limited stocks represent one of the biggest challenges facing NATO in its quest to build up ammunition stocks," the article says.
According to the newspaper, Europe needs to more than double its domestic nitrocellulose production to 20,000 metric tons per year to safeguard its supply chains against emergencies.
European countries are already taking steps to address the shortage. German defense company Rheinmetall is converting a civilian nitrocellulose plant for military production. Poland is also planning to build a new facility to produce the chemical compound.
A bipartisan bill aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating deliveries of the ammunition Ukraine needs was introduced in Washington.
Separately, the State Rear Operator announced a tender to procure extended-range 155 mm artillery shells for Ukraine's Defense Forces.
