Army awards $435M contract for Kentucky TNT plant, first in decades

The U.S. Army has announced a $435 million project to build a TNT production plant in western Kentucky. This marks the first time the explosive material will be produced domestically since 1986.

The facility, located in Graham, Kentucky, will produce trinitrotoluene (TNT), a key ingredient in artillery shells, bombs and grenades. Army officials say the project is a critical step to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers and secure the military’s supply chain amid growing global threats.

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The Army expects the project to create 200 to 250 construction jobs and approximately 50 permanent positions once the plant is operational.

Construction is set to begin soon. Officials expect the project to be completed and functional within four years.

Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell emphasized its importance in deterring threats from authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China. He played a pivotal role in securing funding for the project.

McConnell said strengthening the nation’s defense industrial base is essential for maintaining U.S. security and supporting international allies.

Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., represents the district where the plant site is located. He also highlighted the strain on artillery supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.

Guthrie, a former artillery officer, noted that Western allies are struggling to match Russia’s production of 155mm artillery rounds, underscoring the need for increased domestic capacity.

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The contract to build the facility was awarded to Repkon USA. Bryan Van Brunt, president of Repkon USA Holdings Inc., described the project as a “historic opportunity” to support the military’s long-term needs.

Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, head of the Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, called the project a significant step in bolstering the U.S. defense industrial base. Reim noted that the new facility aligns with the Army’s mission to provide safe, reliable and effective munitions for joint warfighters and international partners.

The new plant is part of the Army’s broader strategy to modernize its production facilities and ensure the military has timely access to critical resources in an era of increasing global challenges.