Japan is in talks to provide artillery shells to the US to bolster stocks for Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia - a pivot for a country that has long curbed exports of lethal weapons, Report informs referring to The Wall Street Journal.
A global hunt for artillery shells for Ukraine has intensified as Kyiv presses to regain territory in its southeast from Russian forces. The US has sent more than two million 155mm artillery rounds to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, and Washington has been pressing its allies to contribute supplies.
On June 13, the US announced a new package of military support for Ukraine, including 155mm artillery shells. The US has drawn deeply from its stocks and is looking for ways to support Ukraine without harming its own military readiness.
People familiar with the talks say Japan is considering supplying 155mm artillery shells to the US under a 2016 agreement that allows the two countries to share ammunition as part of their longstanding security alliance. The shells would help replenish US supplies as it supports Ukraine’s war effort, according to these people.
In a statement, Japan’s Ministry of Defense said it hasn’t made any final decision to supply artillery shells to the US or Ukraine. It said it is holding various discussions with the US and declined to say what they were about.
A Pentagon spokesman said, “We continue to work together with Japan and more than 50 countries around the world to provide support to Ukraine.” The spokesman said it was up to each country to decide what it could provide.