Turkish Repkon engages in the fight against the shortage of 155 mm artillery ammunition
The war in Ukraine has highlighted significant shortcomings in global defense and security preparedness. One glaring issue is the dramatic shortage of 155 mm artillery ammunition. In Ukraine, daily consumption of this ammunition reaches thousands of shells, signaling a clear insufficiency in production capacity—not just in Europe and the United States but worldwide. In response, many countries and companies are seeking solutions to address this critical issue. Among them is the Turkish company Repkon, which has taken notable strides in recent weeks.
The shortage of 155 mm artillery ammunition remains one of the most pressing topics concerning aid to Ukraine and global military logistics. According to various analyses, the Ukrainian army fires 5,000–6,700 artillery shells daily. Analysts Gustav Gressel and Marcus Welsch estimate that 8,300 shells per day are necessary to sustain effective combat operations. Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov stated in March that Ukraine would require 594,000 pieces of ammunition per month to fully utilize its Western-supplied artillery systems. However, no manufacturer can currently meet this demand. Adding to the strain, countries that have supplied ammunition to Ukraine from their stockpiles now face their own shortages.
It is, therefore, unsurprising that 155 mm shells have become a focal point for military strategists, planners, and the defense industry. Not only military experts but also politicians and security analysts are calling for an increase in production capacity. As the shortage of 155 mm artillery ammunition is a global problem, the efforts to address it involve not only the most prominent European and American manufacturers but also lesser-known yet equally significant players. One such contributor is the Turkish company Repkon.
Repkon, based in Istanbul, has in recent weeks taken significant steps worldwide to help address the shortage of artillery ammunition. Repkon gained considerable media attention in October when reports emerged about its plans to build a new production facility in Mesquite, Texas, USA, under an agreement with the US Department of Defense (DoD). According to available information, the facility will be capable of producing approximately 30,000 155 mm shells per month, significantly boosting the production of this type of ammunition in the US. However, this is not the end of Repkon's efforts in the field of artillery ammunition. In early November, US arms authorities awarded Repkon – USA Defense LLC, which represents the Istanbul-based company in the US, a contract to build a new TNT production plant in Kentucky. According to US military officials, this project is critical for the further development of artillery ammunition production in the US, as well as for strengthening national security. The value of this contract is $435 million, and DoD officials describe it as a significant step forward in TNT production over the past several decades.
Recently, media reports indicate that Repkon is continuing to address the shortage of artillery ammunition in another part of the world, namely Asia. During IDEAS 2024, held in Pakistan from the 24th to the 27th of November, Repkon signed an agreement with local manufacturer Wah Industries Limited to build a production plant for 155 mm artillery shell bodies and a filling line directly in Pakistan. According to plans, the annual production of this plant is expected to reach 120,000 artillery shells, meeting the needs of the Pakistani army as well as the demands of foreign customers.
