DoD watchdog finds 155mm artillery plant built 2 years ago has produced nothing

A Pentagon watchdog report revealed that an ammunition plant in Mesquite, Texas, established two years ago at a cost of $469 million, has yet to produce any parts for 155mm artillery rounds. This failure significantly hinders the U.S. Army's objective to replenish its own stocks, which have been heavily drawn down by providing ammunition to Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion.

The Defense Department inspector general's report, released Monday, stated that as of March 2026, the Mesquite facility had not manufactured any metal projectile parts meeting contract specifications. The Army had aimed to increase 155mm artillery production from 14,000 rounds per month to 100,000 by October 2025, investing in the Mesquite plant to produce critical components. However, the plant, operated by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, has not produced any of the 30,000 projectile metal parts it was slated to manufacture each month.

As of this month, the Army is producing approximately 36,000 rounds per month, falling far short of its target. The report attributes this shortfall partly to the Mesquite facility's non-performance. Officials involved in the Army's ammunition program indicated that with only three facilities capable of producing the required parts, the Pentagon will only reach about 71,000 rounds per month, or 71 percent of its goal, by September 2026.

According to the report, Army officials accepted the risk associated with the contractor's plan to procure untested equipment. The Army contracting office had requested the plant halt work in August 2025 while they evaluated the situation and sought solutions. The demand for artillery has reportedly lessened somewhat, as the conflict in Ukraine has shifted towards greater reliance on drone warfare rather than extensive trench fighting.

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the Army's expenditure of $469 million to establish the Mesquite facility could have been used to address other Army or [Department of Defense] priorities.