Canada is slow to invest in increasing ammunition production
Canada is hesitating to invest in increasing ammunition production because it allegedly sees no economic benefit in the medium term.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine regarding CBC News.
According to the publication, the Canadian government has not yet agreed with its arms companies to increase the production of 155 mm caliber shells.
It is noted that in the fall of 2022, two major Canadian ammunition manufacturers submitted a proposal to the government to significantly increase the production of artillery shells. Almost a year and a half later, when Canadian stockpiles have fallen to dangerously low levels, a major agreement to increase their production in this country has not yet been concluded.
CBC News sources note that allies are pressuring Canada, but the government doubts that the investment will pay off due to insufficient long-term demand for artillery ammunition in the world.
The Canadian government's hesitation is partly because ramping up production of NATO-standard 155mm ammunition, which both Ukraine and Canada need, requires the federal government to invest $400 million in factories.
According to the Canadian Department of Defense, the expansion and modernization of the shell production facilities will take three years. At the same time, Canada has previously invested about $5 million in modernizing production lines, but this step did not bring significant results.
Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 21/02/2024
