![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/britain-to-significantly-ramp-up-production-of-artillery-shells-after-handing-thousands-to-ukraine/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000304271971_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqMTHot3npgdo0TkoF-nXvdCccsKCoWo_3OKYZGhqEkAM.jpeg&description=However, heavy use of these cannons has run down artillery stockpiles in the West. In the summer, Pentagon sources told the Wall Street Journal that US stocks of 155mm had become 'uncomfortably low' after it shipped 806,000 rounds to Ukraine. It can take up to 18 months from order to delivery of the munitions, the newspaper reported. Artillery, especially unguided shells such as the six-inch-thick, waist-high 155mm calibre, has been key to the successes of both Ukrainian and Russian offensives in the war. BAE Systems declined to comment. The MoD was approached for comment. News of the letter of comfort comes as doubts emerge that the UK will stick to former Prime Minister Liz Truss's pledge to dramatically increase Britain's spending on defence. Rishi Sunak refused to commit to a pledge of spending 3pc of national output on defence as he announced a new order for submarine-hunting frigates to add to the Royal Navy. BAE has been awarded a £4.2bn contract to build five City Class Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy in Glasgow. The anti-submarine ships will also be able to act as hospital ships and transport aid. Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, said: 'We are investing in our fleet to ensure our Royal Navy maintains its world-leading capability to protect and defend our nation at sea. "This design has already been successfully exported to Australia and Canada, proving itself as a world-class maritime capability, securing thousands of UK jobs and strengthening alliances with our allies.' BAE said on Tuesday that an order to upgrade a ballistic missile defence system to counter threats from Russia and China, and to revamp US F-15 fighter jets, had helped it put on £10bn of orders since the summer. The order boost takes BAE to £28bn of work secured in the year to date. The defence company said that a weak pound could add up to 9pc to sales this year. The company has an eye on potential orders from Japan, which has recently said it wishes to drastically increa){kind=link}
Britain has sent at least 16,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine since the start of the war
Britain is to ramp up production of artillery shells in a bid to replenish stockpiles, after donating thousands of munitions to Ukraine.
It comes as Russia seeks to replenish its own reserves, with Western officials estimating Moscow has just a month’s supply left.
The British Government has sent BAE Systems, the UK’s biggest defence company, a letter of comfort that orders are on the way. The signal of intent will give it the confidence to build new production lines and start to increase supplies.
The move is prelude to an official order for more rounds from the Ministry of Defence, allowing the company time to prepare.