U.S. to Produce 180,000 155mm Artillery Shells Annually in Poland.

U.S Northrop Grumman and Polish arms manufacturer Niewiadow-PGM have signed a framework agreement to jointly produce more than 180,000 155 mm artillery shells annually in Poland, Reuters reported from Warsaw on February 11, 2026. The move strengthens NATO ammunition supply chains at a time when demand for heavy artillery rounds remains high across Europe and for U.S. stockpiles.

U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman and Poland’s Niewiadow-PGM have formalized a framework agreement to manufacture over 180,000 155 mm artillery shells each year in Poland, according to Reuters reporting from Warsaw on February 11, 2026. The partnership, confirmed by Northrop Grumman’s managing director for Poland, Quinn Canole, is designed to expand munitions capacity for the Polish Armed Forces, the United States, and other European customers as NATO countries continue replenishing stocks. Initial qualification rounds are set to begin later this year, with full commercial-scale production expected once industrial validation and certification are completed.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Beyond the initial partnership with Niewiadow-PGM, Northrop Grumman also confirms advanced discussions with Polish state-controlled ammunition producer Mesko for potential co-production of 30 mm and 120 mm rounds (Picture source: US DoD)

The agreement centers on the local manufacture of 155 mm artillery ammunition, the NATO standard caliber used by most Western self-propelled and towed howitzers. Systems such as the M109A6 Paladin, the Krab self-propelled howitzer operated by Poland, and the French CAESAR rely on this caliber, typically firing projectiles to ranges of 24 to 30 kilometers with conventional high explosive rounds, and beyond 40 kilometers when using base bleed or rocket-assisted munitions. In Ukraine, where 155 mm shells are expended in high volumes in counter-battery duels and fire support missions, shortages have periodically constrained operational tempo, reinforcing the urgency of expanding production capacity across Europe.

Northrop Grumman’s contribution to the Polish venture lies primarily in its Austempered Ductile Iron technology. Austempered Ductile Iron, commonly referred to as ADI, is a heat treatment process applied to ductile cast iron that produces a material with high strength, improved toughness, and enhanced wear resistance. Unlike traditional forged steel shell bodies, which require energy-intensive forging presses and long production cycles, ADI components can be cast and heat-treated using adapted commercial foundry processes. This approach reduces lead times and lowers dependency on specialized forging infrastructure, a constraint that has limited surge production in several NATO countries.

According to Northrop executives, the technology enables faster scaling once the process matures and is validated in operational use. By leveraging ADI for projectile bodies, the joint production line in Poland could reach the announced target of more than 180,000 rounds per year, provided supply chains for explosives, fuzes, and propelling charges remain stable. The emphasis on qualification rounds in 2026 underscores the importance of ballistic testing, metallurgical validation, and compliance with NATO standards before large-scale deliveries begin. Each shell must meet strict tolerances for mass distribution, structural integrity under high chamber pressures, and fragmentation patterns upon detonation.

The 155 mm high explosive projectile typically weighs around 43 kilograms and is filled with several kilograms of explosive compound, such as TNT or IMX-type insensitive munitions, depending on configuration. When fired from a 39- or 52-caliber barrel, muzzle velocities can exceed 800 meters per second, subjecting the shell body to extreme acceleration forces. Material choice and heat treatment are therefore critical to prevent structural failure during launch and to ensure predictable terminal effects. ADI’s combination of tensile strength and impact resistance makes it suitable for these conditions, while offering industrial flexibility compared to forged steel.

Beyond the initial partnership with Niewiadow-PGM, Northrop Grumman also confirms advanced discussions with Polish state-controlled ammunition producer Mesko for potential co-production of 30 mm and 120 mm rounds. The 30 mm caliber is widely used in infantry fighting vehicles and remote weapon stations, delivering effective engagement ranges of up to 2,000 meters against light armored targets. The 120 mm caliber, employed in NATO main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 and M1A2 Abrams, supports both kinetic energy penetrators and multi-purpose high explosive anti-tank rounds capable of defeating heavily protected targets at distances exceeding 3,000 meters. Expanding into these segments would further integrate Northrop into Poland’s broader ammunition ecosystem.

Increasing domestic 155 mm shell production enhances Poland’s ability to sustain high-intensity artillery operations over extended periods. Modern land warfare, particularly in Eastern Europe, is characterized by dense sensor networks, counter-battery radars, and unmanned aerial systems that shorten the time between detection and engagement. Artillery units must therefore maintain high rates of fire while dispersing and relocating frequently to avoid precision strikes. A secure national supply of shells allows commanders to plan sustained fire missions, support maneuver brigades, and replenish stocks without relying entirely on external deliveries. It also reduces logistical vulnerability along transatlantic supply routes that could be contested in a crisis.

The decision by Northrop Grumman to designate Poland as a strategic location in continental Europe aligns with Warsaw’s defense spending trajectory, which reaches 4.8 percent of gross domestic product this year, the highest within NATO. Industrial localization serves not only to meet Polish military requirements but also to anchor U.S. defense firms within the European defense industrial and technological base. As European states seek to replenish stocks depleted by transfers to Ukraine, production nodes inside the European Union gain added value in terms of regulatory alignment, transport efficiency, and political acceptability.

Rather than relying on a limited number of legacy production lines, allies are dispersing capacity, integrating new manufacturing methods, and tightening transatlantic industrial ties. For Ukraine, potential access to additional 155 mm shells could influence the balance of firepower along contested front lines. For Russia, the steady expansion of European ammunition output complicates any expectation that Western support will diminish due to industrial fatigue. More broadly, the Polish initiative illustrates how industrial policy, alliance strategy, and battlefield requirements increasingly intersect, shaping a security environment in which production capacity itself becomes a central element of deterrence.