The Economist reported a critical shortage of explosives in the European Union (EU), significantly obstructing efforts to ramp up artillery shell and missile production to support Kyiv.
Europe is desperately trying to increase its scant ammunition production—a vulnerability that has recently become apparent and was scarcely considered until now.
European explosives manufacturers are uncertain about their capacity to boost production, raising concerns that due to the insufficient supply within the EU, Kyiv might not receive the necessary quantity of ammunition.
The Economist’s report highlighted that the demand for weapons dramatically decreased after the Cold War ended, leading many European explosives manufacturers to reduce their output or shut down entirely.
In Britain, the last explosives production facility was closed in 2008, and currently, the main TNT producer in the EU is located in northern Poland.
The report emphasizes that for decades, explosives have not been produced on a substantial industrial scale in Europe.
Furthermore, the newspaper, citing industry experts, mentioned that establishing a new explosives manufacturing plant could take between three to seven years. For instance, the Rheinmetall plant in Hungary is expected to commence operations only by 2023.
Among other challenges facing the explosives industry in Europe, the report highlights a shortage of skilled labour and essential raw materials, complicating efforts to scale up production swiftly.
These factors collectively pose a significant challenge to the EU’s ability to meet its commitments in supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.
