Ukrainian artillery firm rectifies 100,000 shell defect crisis
One of the domestic producers of mortar ammunition in Ukraine has replaced shells from a defective batch of 100,000 120 mm calibre shells under warranty. We present the background of this issue and which shells were affected.
According to the portal Militarnyi, one of the state suppliers of mortar shells, which caused a nationwide scandal in Ukraine in 2024 due to a batch of 100,000 defective mortar shells calibre 120 mm, has corrected its error. It is worth noting that the Russian industry, which faces fewer attacks, also has problems maintaining the quality of ammunition.
The defective shells were checked and replaced in batches under warranty from December 2024, and the quantity of faulty units ultimately amounted to 39,455 items. This was almost half of the production, and it should be noted that the exchange process was carried out alongside fulfilling new orders.
The defects included shells not maintaining dimensions, sealing rings, damaged packaging of propellant charges, or detonator caps. All this made it possible for the shells to get stuck in the mortar barrel or fall aside immediately after leaving it.
120 mm mortar shells — High firepower in a simple form
The most effective combat tool in Ukraine is artillery guided by drones, and mortars are a straightforward and effective weapon with a range of a few kilometres. Although heavy mortars of 120 mm calibre like the 2B11 Sani usually weigh about 200 kilograms, which requires at least a motorcycle for transport.
Such a mortar, using common ammunition, can target distances of about 6 kilometres with an intensity of up to 15 rounds per minute. For an opponent in open terrain, a barrage of shells containing about 1.4 kilograms of TNT is very deadly.
Additionally, many countries have developed mortars with longer barrels and greater range using, for instance, shells with rocket boosters or cluster warheads for area impact. Among interesting Western systems in Ukraine, the Polish self-propelled mortars M120 RAK, which are well-assessed by Ukrainians, are worth mentioning.
