To produce the shells that Ukraine lacks, powder is needed, which is sorely lacking in Europe. The Minister of the Armed Forces pushed to relocate this production to Bergerac.
Increase the production of shells for Ukraine, yes, but, due to lack of powder, the realization of this plan will be neither easy nor quick. And for good reason, victim of the peace dividend, this industry has been abandoned for many years.
And this is especially true when it comes to powder. This component, which we rarely talk about, is nevertheless essential to the production of shells. It makes it possible to propel those of large calibers, in particular the 155 mm which the Ukrainian gunners lack .
Eurenco has committed to investing 60 million euros, 50 of which will be self-financed, for the expansion and modernization of its factory which will enter production in the first half of 2025. The objective is to produce 1,200 tonnes of propellant powder in France. to produce the shells for Nexter’s Caesar cannons.
This little-talked about industry is now at the heart of the artillery coalition announced last January by Sébastien Lecornu . This mission aims to respond as quickly as possible to the Ukrainians' ammunition needs.
Ukraine's allies set out to provide these munitions, without really succeeding. Europe had promised to deliver one million 155mm shells in the first quarter of 2024, but will ultimately only be able to provide less than a third.
The Czech Republic, for its part, offered another source of supply. Czech President Petr Pavel claims to have found large stocks which, cumulatively, reach 500,000 155-millimeter shells and 300,000 122-millimeter shells. These munitions, which are located outside the NATO zone, could be delivered to Ukraine in a few weeks, assures Petr Pavel, who asks Ukraine's allies to raise funds.
www.bfmtv.com
Increase the production of shells for Ukraine, yes, but, due to lack of powder, the realization of this plan will be neither easy nor quick. And for good reason, victim of the peace dividend, this industry has been abandoned for many years.
And this is especially true when it comes to powder. This component, which we rarely talk about, is nevertheless essential to the production of shells. It makes it possible to propel those of large calibers, in particular the 155 mm which the Ukrainian gunners lack .
To relaunch this sector, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, announced just a year ago the relocation of production which will be transferred from Sweden to Bergerac, in Dordogne, on the Eurenco site . This industrial operation was carried out within the framework of the 2024-2030 military programming law.
Produce 1,200 tonnes of powder in France
Heir to the National Company of Powders and Explosives (SNPE), Eurenco had for years scaled back with the blessing of the governments of the time. Part of the production was relocated to its Swedish site, while another part of the powder needed came from Italian, German and Swiss suppliers. An organization denounced by a parliamentary report on the production of munitions.Eurenco has committed to investing 60 million euros, 50 of which will be self-financed, for the expansion and modernization of its factory which will enter production in the first half of 2025. The objective is to produce 1,200 tonnes of propellant powder in France. to produce the shells for Nexter’s Caesar cannons.
This little-talked about industry is now at the heart of the artillery coalition announced last January by Sébastien Lecornu . This mission aims to respond as quickly as possible to the Ukrainians' ammunition needs.
Gunpowder at the heart of the artillery coalition
We must counterbalance the balance of power which is almost 1 to 6 in favor of the Russians. “This means that when six Russian shells fall on Ukrainian positions, the Ukrainians can only respond with one shell,” explains General Jean-Michel Guilloton who leads this coalition.Ukraine's allies set out to provide these munitions, without really succeeding. Europe had promised to deliver one million 155mm shells in the first quarter of 2024, but will ultimately only be able to provide less than a third.
The Czech Republic, for its part, offered another source of supply. Czech President Petr Pavel claims to have found large stocks which, cumulatively, reach 500,000 155-millimeter shells and 300,000 122-millimeter shells. These munitions, which are located outside the NATO zone, could be delivered to Ukraine in a few weeks, assures Petr Pavel, who asks Ukraine's allies to raise funds.
Économie de guerre: comment la France fait face à la pénurie de poudre pour la production d'obus
Pour produire les obus qui manquent à l'Ukraine, il faut de la poudre qui fait cruellement défaut en Europe. Le ministre des Armées a poussé à relocaliser cette production à Bergerac.
