Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Thursday voted 505 to 56, with 21 abstentions, to approve the European Union's Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), which officials say aims to accelerate the delivery of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help member states restock their arsenals.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during a voting session in Strasbourg, France, earlier this year. Photo: EPA/JULIEN WARNAND
The measure seeks to "ramp up the EU’s production capacity to address the current shortage of defence products, specifically artillery ammunition, missiles and their components," the EU legislature said on its website.
The legislation needs to be endorsed by the European Council, the EU's top decision-making body, in order to become law.
Poland’s Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said earlier this year that the EU must urgently provide Ukraine with ammunition to help it defend itself against Russia's war of aggression.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 506 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
