Warsaw is preparing for a major ammunition production boost, with annual 155mm shell output set to jump from roughly 30,000 to 180,000 by 2027. Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed the plan during a tour of the Nitro-Chem plant in Bydgoszcz, Europe’s top TNT supplier, stating the goal is to meet the Polish army’s full needs domestically.
The program is part of a broader Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) investment push, involving four state-owned manufacturers. Nitro-Chem is slated to receive $31.2 million for modern production lines, a significant step from the 5,000 shells produced annually when Tusk assumed office in 2023.
Bordering war-torn Ukraine, Poland views this surge as essential to bolstering NATO’s artillery capacity and offsetting Europe’s tightening ammunition reserves. The 155mm shell — NATO’s standard — not only ensures interoperability among allies but also provides Ukraine with a decisive edge in range and accuracy over older 152mm munitions.
