Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced the beginning of mass production of shells for the artillery system Hyacinth.

“The testing of 152-millimeter shells for the artillery system Hyacinth has been completed and now the state joint-stock holding company Artem will start serial production of 152-mm shells for supply to Ukraine’s Armed Forces,” Poroshenko posted on his Facebook page on Aug. 20.

The next step will be the quick transition the production of shells for other artillery systems, from 100-millimeter to NATO caliber 155-millimeter.

Earlier in March, Artem reported the successful fire testing of 152-millimeter artillery ammunition of its own production for the Hyacinth system. Mass production required testing supervised by the Defense Ministry.

The new high-explosive shell is designed to destroy the enemy’s manpower, artillery, and weapons, as well as to destroy fortifications and objects.