PGZ outlined a scheme to expand existing plants and build new production lines so that, by 2028, it can turn out 150,000–180,000 155 mm shells a year.
“We must be sovereign in ammunition production – and we will be,” Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news conference at PGZ’s Warsaw headquarters.
He said Poland already makes one million small-caliber rounds a day, or roughly a quarter-billion a year, five times last year’s pace.
PGZ’s three-plant model assigns the first facility to current-generation shells (capacity 100,000), the second to new-generation rounds for Krab, Krab-2 and K9 howitzers (80,000), and the third to propellants and large-caliber charges.
Chief Executive Adam Leszkiewicz said PGZ had narrowed potential foreign technology partners to two after screening offers from 20 firms and expects to finalize a licensing deal “within weeks”.
The group plans to reach its 180,000-shell goal “within a few years”.
Deputy State Assets Minister Konrad Gołota called 155 mm production “critical for national security”.
Four PGZ munitions subsidiaries – Mesko, Dezamet, Nitro-Chem and Gamrat – will share more than 2.4 billion zlotys in state capital-fund support for the expansion.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said stepped-up output was vital amid “the most dangerous times” and urged PGZ to push harder into allied markets, even though the Polish Army remains its largest customer.
(jh)
Source: PAP