EU joint procurement of ammunition and missiles for Ukraine: Council agrees €1 billion support under the European Peace Facility

The Council today adopted an assistance measure worth €1 billion under the European Peace Facility (EPF) that will further contribute to strengthening the capabilities and resilience of Ukraine to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian military aggression.

The assistance measure will finance the provision to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of 155-mm-calibre artillery rounds and, if requested, missiles which will be jointly procured by EU member states from the European defence industry.

Today’s decision is another major step to deliver more ammunition to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces need substantial amounts of ammunition to defend the Ukrainian people and territory. They need it fast. Together with the previous decision to swiftly provide ammunition from existing stocks, we are committing €2 billion to this purpose, bringing the total EU military support to Ukraine to €5.6 billion.

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The measure will support joint procurement of ammunition and missiles from economic operators established in the EU or Norway, and producing these ammunition and missiles in the EU or Norway. The supply chains of these operators may include operators established or having their production outside of the EU or Norway. The measure will also cover deliveries of ammunition and missiles which have undergone an important stage of their manufacturing in the EU or Norway which consists of final assembly.

To be eligible for EPF reimbursement, procurement contracts or purchase orders will need to be concluded before 30 September 2023 in the context of an existing European Defence Agency (EDA) project or through complementary joint acquisition projects led by a member state.

Today’s decision implements track 2 of the Council agreement of 20 March 2023 on a three-track approach intended to speed up the delivery and joint procurement of artillery ammunition with a view to providing one million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine within twelve months following the Council agreement.

It was preceded by the approval of another support package under the EPF worth €1 billion that allowed the EU to reimburse member states for ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles donated to Ukraine from existing stocks or from the reprioritisation of existing orders during the period 9 February to 31 May 2023 (track 1). Track 3 of the ammunition package, in the form of an Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), has been adopted by the European Commission on 3 May 2023.

The Council will receive regular updates on the implementation of the assistance measure in order to monitor progress in the implementation of the Council agreement on the three-track approach.

Together with the previous packages of military support, the assistance measure adopted today brings the total EU contribution for Ukraine to support the delivery of military equipment under the EPF to €5.6 billion.

On top of that, the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) continues to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, reinforced with two EPF assistance measures worth €61 million to finance the provision of equipment necessary for the training.

These efforts prove once more that the EU remains steadfast in its support for the Ukrainian military in defending the country against the illegal Russian aggression.

Background

On 2 March 2023, the High Representative received a request from Ukraine for the EU to assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the supply of 155-mm-calibre artillery rounds.

On 20 March 2023, the Council agreed on a three-track approach with a view to speeding up delivery and joint procurement, aiming at one million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine in a joint effort within the following 12 months, and called for the swift implementation of those three tracks.

On 13 April 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/810, to implement track 1, worth EUR 1 billion, under the assistance measure approved in Decision 2022/338. This track will finance the reimbursement of donated materiel from existing stocks or from reprioritisation of existing orders, delivered during the period 9 February 2023 – 31 May 2023, regarding ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition, and, if requested, missiles.

On 3 May 2023, the European Commission adopted the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) thereby implementing track 3 of the approach agreed on 20 March. The Commission proposal introduces targeted measures – including financing – aimed at ramping up the EU’s production capacity and addressing the current shortage of ammunition and missiles as well as their components.

The EPF was created in 2021 to support partners around the world in the areas of military and defence, with the ultimate aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability.