The US Army has awarded Florida-based Repkon a $435-million contract to develop and commission a TNT factory in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
TNT is used for ammunition and explosives in the military, including the commonly used 155-millimeter artillery shells.
Senator Mitch McConnell made the announcement, noting that the center will be America’s first local TNT source since the 1980s.
“I’m proud that the National Security Supplemental I championed in the Senate will bring home $435 million in federal funding to establish this TNT capability right here in Kentucky, helping retool the defense industrial base our military relies on,” McConnell remarked.
“Through this partnership with the Army and Repkon USA, our state is proving once again that we have the infrastructure, workforce, and logistics edge to take on projects critical to our national defense.”
US Congressman Brett Guthrie, also present at the awarding ceremony, highlighted that the initiative will bring a “positive economic impact” to the region’s community by supporting over 50 jobs.
‘Major Step Forward’
The army said that the upcoming TNT production hub will reduce warfighters’ reliance on overseas supply, accelerate timelines for replenishing the service’s overall inventory, and improve readiness for future conflicts.
The deal to build the Kentucky factory was funded by the army’s Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A) and the Contracting Command – Rock Island.
“This is a major step forward in rebuilding our industrial base and ensuring we have the critical capabilities to support our warfighters,” US Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Assistant Secretary Douglas Bush explained.
“Reshoring TNT production gives us the ability to control and secure our supply chain for this vital component, especially in an era of increasing global challenges.”
JPEO A&A Officer Maj. Gen. John Reim added that the facility will enhance the US defense industrial base while providing strategic significance to existing and future cooperations with allies.
“This new state-of-the-art facility is essential to the JPEO A&A’s mission to develop, procure and field safe, reliable and lethal munitions to our joint warfighters and international partners,” Reim said.