BRUSSELS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Friday announced the allocation of 500 million euros (about 544 million U.S. dollars) to boost ammunition production as part of its support for the European defense industry.

In a statement, the commission said this would allow the European defense industry to increase its ammunition production to two million shells a year by the end of 2025. Its annual production capacity for 155 mm shells reached 1 million per year in January.

To assist the European industry in increasing its ammunition production and readiness, the commission said it selected 31 projects in five areas: explosives, powder, shells, missiles and testing and reconditioning certification.

Also on Friday, the commission launched the work program for the instrument to reinforce the European defense industry through common procurement and the fourth annual work program of the European Defence Fund. These programs, aimed at reinforcing the European defense technological and industrial base, have a total budget of almost 2 billion euros.

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