Seven countries order ammunition under EU scheme to aid Ukraine
(VOVWORLD) - Seven EU countries have ordered ammunition under a landmark European Union procurement scheme to get urgently needed artillery shells to Ukraine and replenish depleted Western stocks, according to the EU agency in charge.
 Seven countries order ammunition under EU scheme to aid Ukraine |
The orders - placed under contracts negotiated by the European Defense Agency (EDA) - are for 155mm artillery rounds, one of the most important munitions in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The scheme was set up as part of a plan worth at least 2 billion euros, launched in March with the aim of getting a million shells and missiles to Ukraine within a year.
Some officials and diplomats have expressed skepticism that the target will be met but the initiative marked a significant step in the EU's growing role in defense and military affairs.