SCRANTON, Pa. — There was a buzz both inside and outside the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant on Sunday afternoon, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toured the facility.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Army and to the workers of the plant for the crucial role they play providing support to his country amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.
“I have heard that 400 people work here, but I wanted very much to come here and to thank you. Four hundred people have saved millions of Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said.
SCAAP manufactures large-caliber metal projectiles and mortar projectiles to ensure warfighters have the ammunition they need to carry out missions around the globe. SCAAP has played a vital role in the production of 155 mm artillery rounds, which have helped Ukraine bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities.
“The ammunition produced here is essential to the United States’ efforts to help increase Ukraine’s firing power … and we must leverage this progress and build upon this momentum by continuing to invest in Ukraine and its defense capabilities,” said Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma.
Zelenskyy said he was thanking the Scranton workforce on behalf of the ordinary Ukrainians fighting against the Russian invasion.
“What we’ve been able to accomplish over the last two-plus years in partnership with companies large and small across the nation is nothing short of remarkable,” said Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “155 mm artillery production is a great example of what is possible when we align resources to strategy, and there are countless others — from GMLRS to HIMARS to PAC-3. We still have a lot of work ahead of us to continue increasing capacity across the industrial base, but we’re grateful to our partners in Congress and across industry for the progress we’ve made to date.”
Scranton received approximately $440 million across three supplementals for modernizing existing equipment and adding new production lines and equipment.
“We have just hit the 40,000 rounds a month marker for 155 mm artillery shells,” said Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “We'll be at 55,000 shells a month by the end of this year, and the goal is to get up to 100,000 rounds a month. Part of what's enabling that are things like the new plant that we opened in Mesquite, Texas. We've got a new load-assemble-pack plant in Camden, Arkansas, opening soon as well. Those are examples of where there is a payoff in the investment in the Organic Industrial Base.”
Through industrial base modernization initiatives, the Army is increasing the production of 155 mm artillery shells, which are essential for aiding Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
“These actions are not only beneficial to Ukraine, but also enable us to enhance our own stockpiles,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command.
The United States has committed more than $55.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
Ukraine has received U.S. Department of Defense assistance that includes over 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, more than 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition, over 200 155 mm howitzers, more than 3,000,000 155 mm artillery shells, more than 600,000 mortar shells, more than 300 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, over 1.8 million rounds of 25 mm ammunition, 20 Mi-17 helicopters, and in excess of 400 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and grenades.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the partnership between Ukraine and the U.S.
For more information about DOD support to Ukraine, visit: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Support-for-Ukraine/Timeline/
For photos and videos of the Scranton tour, click HERE.
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