Anna Hartz
Defective Mortar Ammo Replaced Under Warranty in Ukraine
In wartime, reliable ammunition can mean the difference between success and disaster.
Artillery and mortar shells are used heavily in the war in Ukraine. When these weapons fail, the consequences can be deadly for the soldiers relying on them.
That’s why quality control in ammunition production is critical.
In Ukraine, a domestic producer of mortar rounds has replaced a batch of faulty shells, according to WP. This batch had caused concern last year.
The issue involved about 100,000 units of 120 mm mortar shells. Around 39,455 of those were found to be defective.
These were replaced under warranty by the supplier starting in December 2024.
The problems with the shells were serious. Some had size irregularities. Others had faulty sealing rings or broken powder charge packages.
Some even had damaged detonator capsules. These defects caused the shells to either get stuck in the mortar tube or fall apart just after being fired.
That could have endangered Ukrainian troops using them in combat.
Despite the scandal, the manufacturer corrected the problem. They replaced the defective items while also fulfilling new orders.
That meant no major delay in the supply of mortar ammunition. In the context of an ongoing war, that’s important.
Mortars are one of the most commonly used weapons in Ukraine. They are simple, deadly, and effective over short distances.
A typical 120 mm mortar can fire at targets as far as 7 kilometers away. Some can shoot up to 15 rounds per minute.
Each shell carries around 1.5 kg of TNT, which can cause heavy damage to troops in open ground.
Though heavy, these weapons are still easier to move than larger artillery. Some, like the 2B11 Sani mortar, weigh around 200 kg.
Moving them usually requires a vehicle or at least a motorcycle.
Ukraine also uses modern mortar systems. One of the better known is the M120 RAK, made in Poland.
This self-propelled system has received positive feedback from Ukrainian forces.
It combines mobility with firepower, and it shows how much mortar technology has evolved.