Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, neighboring Poland has been working to significantly increase its ammunition stockpiles to both defend itself and support Kyiv. However, a recent order for ammunition from a South African factory has been blocked by Pretoria’s Conventional Arms Control Committee, which is concerned that the ammunition might be used against Russia.
Poland’s order for thousands of 155 mm artillery rounds, placed with Rheinmetall’s South African facility, has been on hold for over a year, casting doubt on whether the 44 million euro contract will ever be fulfilled. The South African body that suspended the contract has not provided a specific reason, but it is widely believed that South Africa, a Russian ally, is wary of the ammunition falling into the hands of Russia’s adversaries.
This development is a setback for Poland, which has been striving to boost its ammunition reserves through increased purchases and domestic production. In response to the suspension of the South African order, Warsaw has secured a 2.5 billion euro deal with its main armaments manufacturer to significantly enhance its ammunition production capabilities. Since the war began, Poland’s annual shell production capacity has more than doubled, with a goal of producing 100,000 shells annually by 2029.