The Pentagon is entering what many defense officials are calling “wartime production mode” as it races to meet a massive demand for 155mm artillery shells. According to Defense One reporter Meghann Myers, the U.S. Army has nearly tripled its monthly output of these shells since the war in Ukraine began. While it’s still short of the ambitious goal of 100,000 rounds per month, the military is closing the gap – and quickly.
As of June 2025, monthly production stands at 40,000 shells. That’s already a huge leap from the pre-war level of 14,500 per month. The Pentagon originally aimed to hit 100,000 by October 2025, but that milestone will now likely come a few months later, according to Army ammunition chief Maj. Gen. John Reim.
Making Up for Lost Time
Reim told Defense One that while some of the Army’s production investments came online later than planned, the effort is still on track to meet its long-term objectives. “We were given the mission to go fast,” Reim explained. “We put multiple bets down and realized some risk…but we will continue to work through that.”
According to Vlad Litnarovych of United 24 Media, the goal now is to produce over one million 155mm shells throughout 2026. That would represent one of the most aggressive peacetime ammunition ramp-ups since World War II. A major driver of this effort is America’s ongoing support for Ukraine, which continues to burn through artillery shells at an astounding rate on the front lines.
A $5 Billion Investment in Firepower
To get there, the Army has poured nearly $5 billion into ammunition infrastructure, including factory upgrades and entirely new facilities. Reim has attended no fewer than seven ribbon-cutting ceremonies as new plants have come online. From Texas to Arkansas, and even into Canada, the defense industrial base is getting a dramatic overhaul.
This is not just a logistical project – it’s a strategic one. Reim emphasized that the U.S. hasn’t seen this level of investment in its munitions manufacturing since World War II. He called it “literally making history,” and it’s easy to see why. This transformation will likely have ripple effects for decades to come, not just for the Army but also for other branches like the Navy, which face similar modernization challenges.
Modernizing Aging Ammunition Plants
Much of the Army’s munitions infrastructure dates back to the 1940s. According to Myers, the majority of these facilities received only minor upgrades over the years, a policy that now looks dangerously outdated. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 changed all that.
That same year, the Army submitted its Ammunition Plant Modernization Plan. Among other projects, it included the opening of a nitrocellulose production facility at Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Virginia. Nitrocellulose is a key ingredient in the propellants that make shells go boom – and making more of it at home is critical for self-sufficiency.
New Plants, New Capacity
Several new production lines are already operational. A plant in Mesquite, Texas, can churn out 30,000 shells per month. A Canadian facility adds another 10,000. A brand-new plant in Camden, Arkansas, opened in April 2025 and will eventually produce 50,000 shells monthly. One more plant in Parsons, Kansas, is expected to add 12,000 more.
According to Litnarovych, these new plants are decentralizing production, which once relied almost entirely on the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant and a single Iowa facility for casing and explosive filling. Spreading out production not only boosts volume but also reduces vulnerability to sabotage or supply-chain disruptions.
The TNT Problem
One surprising detail, reported by both Myers and Litnarovych, is that the U.S. hasn’t produced its own TNT since 1986. That left the military reliant on imports from countries like Ukraine and, until recently, even Russia. Needless to say, that supply chain collapsed quickly after war broke out.
To fix this, the Pentagon is working with Repkon USA, the American branch of a Turkish defense company, to build a new TNT production facility in Graham, Kentucky. This project is seen as critical to long-term security. As Reim put it, the U.S. is “just so fortunate that we’re learning this now, and not with our blood and treasure on the line.”
Bottlenecks Still Remain
Despite the surge in shell casings, the Pentagon still struggles to produce enough complete rounds. As Litnarovych noted, only 18,000 fully assembled 155mm rounds were produced in September 2024, despite 40,000 shell casings being available. The bottleneck? A shortage of propellant and detonator components.
Until recently, most of the propellant was sourced from a General Dynamics facility in Valleyfield, Canada. That created a single point of failure. To address this, new domestic production sites are opening at American Ordnance plants in Iowa and Arkansas, as well as a new General Dynamics location.
66,000 Tons of Explosives Needed
Producing 100,000 fully assembled rounds per month isn’t just about facilities – it’s about raw materials. The Pentagon estimates it will take 66,000 tons of explosives annually to meet the full production goal. This staggering figure underscores how massive the effort really is.
For context, that’s enough explosive to supply a year’s worth of intense combat operations – not just in Ukraine, but potentially in other flashpoints around the world. It’s also a warning sign to adversaries: the U.S. is preparing for serious, sustained warfare if necessary.
One Shell, Three Parts
Building a single 155mm artillery round isn’t just about the metal shell. It also requires a fuse, a propellant charge, and precise assembly. The Army has made huge gains in producing the outer shells, but fuses and charges remain a hurdle.
As Litnarovych explained, it’s not enough to have empty tubes. Without the right components, those shells are useless on the battlefield. That’s why expanding fuse and propellant production is now a top priority for the Department of Defense.
More Than Ukraine
While Ukraine remains the immediate reason behind the ramp-up, both Myers and Litnarovych make clear that this is about more than just one war. It’s about being ready for whatever comes next. Whether it’s deterrence in the Pacific, defense of NATO allies, or other unforeseen conflicts, America’s ability to sustain combat is being put to the test.
This production surge is not a short-term solution – it’s a long-term pivot in U.S. defense strategy. The Pentagon is laying the foundation for an industrial base that can outlast and outpace any rival, including China.
A Model for the Future
The way the Army has handled this ammunition surge may serve as a blueprint for other military branches. The Navy, in particular, has struggled to maintain its shipbuilding schedule and could benefit from similar modernization and funding strategies.
According to Myers, lawmakers have taken notice. The scale and speed of the Army’s investments are drawing praise, and calls are growing for other services to follow suit. Rebuilding America’s defense manufacturing capabilities isn’t just a military necessity – it’s now a political imperative.
Fast Forward into Readiness
In just three years, the United States has transformed its once-dormant artillery production infrastructure into a high-output, strategically flexible system. While challenges remain, especially around propellant and full assembly, the direction is clear. America is preparing for prolonged, high-volume warfare.
As both Meghann Myers and Vlad Litnarovych report, the Pentagon’s goal of reaching 100,000 rounds a month isn’t just about quantity – it’s about proving that the U.S. defense industrial base can rise to meet modern threats. Whether or not that goal is hit by the end of 2025, the progress made so far has already redefined what’s possible.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.