General dynamics doubled 155mm production in a year, then tripled that in the year following.
But doubled it and tripled it from what?
Our manufacturing capability can handle any demand.
Any demand?
Ukraine was known to be chucking 8,000 artillery rounds a day through late 24 and early 25. That's peaking around 240,000 rounds per month. That would translate to a rate of over 2.8 million rounds/yr.
From a quick search. . . .
The West's production for the US
and Europe was estimated at 1.2 to 1.7 million shells annually in 2024, with plans to increase capacity.
Russia is estimated to currently produce at a rate of around 3 million shells/yr and ramping up to 4.5 million artillery shells/yr rate by late mid 2025 (which we are now past), significantly outpacing Western production, which is around 1.2 to 1.7 million shells per year.
Russia has drastically scaled up production since 2022 by operating factories 24/7 and increasing workforce size, though it still relies on some foreign components and assistance, notably from North Korea and Iran.
Any capacity we bring on line in the near future will be tied up for months just trying to refill our depleted supply chains and then start trying to build actual reserves. Still, those forecast production numbers are only as good as the raw materials and components can be sourced and sustained.
