Poland plans to increase the production of artillery shells fivefold to defend itself against Russia while reducing its reliance on foreign-made weapons.
Jakub Yaborowski, Minister of State Assets of Poland, said in an interview reported by the Financial Times (FT) on the 30th (local time) that "the state defense group PGZ will receive 2.4 billion zlotys (approximately 897.8 billion won) in government funding in the coming days."
The funding will be used to increase the production of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standard 155 mm shells and 120 mm shells for main battle tanks. PGZ currently produces about 30,000 large-caliber munitions annually. The goal is to increase the annual production to 150,000 to 180,000, more than five times.
Poland is the biggest spender on defense among NATO member countries, allocating 4.7% of its gross domestic product (GDP) for this year's defense budget. So far, Poland has used most of its defense expenditure to procure military supplies from countries like Korea and the United States.
According to Yaborowski, Poland's largest chemical company, Grupa Azoty, has also applied for public funding to expand its business into explosives manufacturing. The defense company Niewiadów has also requested funding for the production of 155 mm shells.
Yaborowski noted, "Through the war between Russia and Ukraine, it has become clear that 155 mm shells play a key role in modern warfare and are needed in large quantities," adding that "in the short term, we aim to increase domestic production of these weapons while building a sustainable national self-reliance without depending on foreign sources."