The decision to provide the U.K. with the 155 mm ammunition was reported by the Financial Times. The U.K. is one of the countries supplying Ukraine with 155 mm shells and self-propelled 155 mm artillery frequently used in the war. There have been some complaints regarding the depletion of inventory in said countries. A secondary supplier might lower the impact on the inventories.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) previously announced the production of 500,000 155 mm ammunition in response to a request from the U.S.
The export of 155 mm shells is preceded by Japan's decision to provide the U.S. with MIM-104 Patriot air defence system missiles. Japan is a significant user of Patriot, with Mitsubishi manufacturing the PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. There have been discussions regarding this allowing for further Patriot systems and missiles transfer to Ukraine, which is actively using the air defence system against Russian missiles and aircraft. The U.S. similarly supplied Ukraine with its own inventory of Patriot systems.
