"The project opens the way for EU Member States and Norway to proceed along two paths: a two-year, fast-track procedure for 155mm artillery rounds and a seven-year project to acquire multiple ammunition types," the agency said in a statement.
The countries signed a so-called project arrangement, setting out the terms of reference for their joint procurement effort, the Reuters news agency reported.
The document is a precursor to starting talks with industry with the aim of signing contracts, according to Reuters.
"Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Norway have signed," the European Defence Agency said.
"More Member States have already expressed their intent to join the initiative soon following national procedures," it added.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who heads the European Defence Agency, said: “Today, we take a step forward. We are delivering on our promises to provide Ukraine with more artillery ammunition."
Borrell added: "With today’s signature, 18 countries have signed up to aggregate orders and place them together with the industry through the European Defence Agency.”
Monday is day 390 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, eda.europa.eu