The Future of American Military Ammunition Production Takes Shape in Dallas
In a warehouse off Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway in an industrial area outside Dallas, the future of American military ammunition production is coming online. This facility, the Pentagon’s first new major arms plant built since Russia invaded Ukraine, is set to play a crucial role in supplying artillery shells for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Turkish workers in orange hard hats are hard at work unpacking wood crates from Repkon, a defense company based in Istanbul, and assembling computer-controlled robots and lathes. The factory is gearing up to produce about 30,000 steel shells every month for the 155-millimeter howitzers that have become essential to Kyiv’s war effort.
The urgency for increased production became evident when Ukraine faced a drastic ammunition shortage due to delays in funding from the US government. To address this, the Pentagon set a production target of 100,000 shells per month by the end of 2025, a nearly tenfold increase from previous levels.
The Mesquite factory in Texas, operated by General Dynamics, is a key player in meeting this production goal. The facility, which will add about 350 jobs to the local economy, utilizes cutting-edge technology like flow forming to speed up the manufacturing process significantly.
Despite the ramp-up in production, experts caution that it may not be enough to tip the scales in Ukraine’s favor on the battlefield. Russian artillery output still surpasses that of the US and Europe combined, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead.
In addition to increasing domestic production, the US is also working with European countries to bolster their ammunition manufacturing capabilities. Furthermore, efforts are underway to support Ukraine in strengthening its own defense industry, with the transfer of manufacturing plans and technical manuals for American weapons.
As the Mesquite factory gears up for full production capacity, it represents a significant step in ensuring a stable supply of artillery ammunition for both US and allied forces. The collaboration between government and industry demonstrates the ability to respond swiftly to urgent national security needs, setting a precedent for future defense initiatives.
