(1)

On 28 February 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/338 (1), which established an assistance measure with a financial reference amount of EUR 450 000 000 intended to cover the supply to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of military equipment, and platforms, designed to deliver lethal force (‘the financial reference amount’).

(2)

On 23 March 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/471 (2), which increased the financial reference amount to EUR 900 000 000.

(3)

On 13 April 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/636 (3), which increased the financial reference amount to EUR 1 350 000 000.

(4)

On 23 May 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/809 (4), which increased the financial reference amount to EUR 1 840 000 000.

(5)

On 21 July 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1285 (5), which increased the financial reference amount to EUR 2 330 000 000.

(6)

On 17 October 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1971 (6), which increased the financial reference amount to EUR 2 820 000 000.

(7)

On 2 February 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/230 (7), which increased the financial reference amount to EUR 3 120 000 000.

(8)

In line with Ukraine’s urgent needs, as discussed in particular at the special meeting of the European Council on 9 February 2023, and based on the decision taken by the Council on 20 March 2023, the financial reference amount should be increased by an additional EUR 1 000 000 000.

(9)

On 20 March 2023, the Council agreed on a three-track approach with a view to, in particular, speeding up delivery and joint procurement, aiming at one million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine in a joint effort within the next 12 months, and called for the swift implementation of those three tracks, which are interlinked and need to be pursued in parallel and in a coordinated way. The Council called on Member States to urgently deliver ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition to Ukraine and, if requested, missiles. The Council will receive regular monthly updates on the implementation of the assistance measure in order to monitor progress towards achieving the aim of one million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. As regards the third track, the Council also invited the Commission to present concrete proposals to urgently support the ramp-up of manufacturing capacities of the European defence industry, secure supply chains, facilitate efficient procurement procedures, address shortfalls in production capacities and promote investments, including, where appropriate, mobilising the Union budget.

(10)

Regular meetings at the level of the National Armament Directors with the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force (Commission, European External Action Service, European Defence Agency) will also be organised to assess the needs and the industrial capabilities as well as to ensure the necessary close coordination, especially regarding the provision from stocks, the reprioritisation of existing orders and the different joint acquisition projects, in order to ensure the adequate implementation of the three different tracks.

(11)

The Permanent Representatives Committee will monitor the coordinated and parallel implementation of the three-track approach.

(12)

Decision (CFSP) 2022/338 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Article 2 is amended as follows:

(2)

in Article 4(4), point (e) is replaced by the following:

(3)

in Article 4, paragraph 4, point (o) is replaced by the following:

(4)

in Article 7, the following paragraph is added:

‘The High Representative shall report regularly, monthly to the Council on the implementation of Article 2(4), point (d), regarding the number of artillery ammunition deliveries, and, if requested, missiles, based on information provided by Member States.’.