The European Union revealed its intention to allocate approximately €2 billion to strengthen its defense capabilities as part of several existing European programs, according to a statement from the European Commission.

€500 million of this total amount will be directed towards the production of artillery shells which are desperately needed by the Ukrainian forces to combat the Russian army, as reported by the French Press Agency.

The European Commission has identified 31 projects across EU member states and Norway, aimed at doubling the production capacity in Europe for these munitions. Until the end of January, the production capacity for the most commonly used 155mm shells in Ukraine was equivalent to one million shells per year.

Two-thirds of these projects will be devoted to the production of gunpowder and explosives, the elements that Europe is most lacking.

More than two years into the war, the Ukrainian army is short on soldiers and is demanding more ammunition and air defense systems to counter the Russian military attacks.

For two years, the European Union has sought to strengthen its military support for Ukraine but has struggled with inadequate production capabilities, particularly concerning artillery shells which have become crucial in the current positional warfare.

Last year, Europeans pledged to supply Ukraine with one million shells by the end of March 2024. However, European leaders have since admitted they cannot meet this target, now stating they will fulfill their promise by the end of the year.

On Wednesday, EU member states reached an agreement to add €5 billion to a fund dedicated to financing the purchase of weapons for Ukraine.

In contrast, Russia has adjusted its economy to its war efforts, and has received hundreds of thousands of shells from North Korea.