The defensive industry her European Union It is known for spectacular development: over 7 million sq.m. new infrastructure created by 2022, rhythm three times compared to pre -war period, according to analysis of Financial Times based on satellite radar data from 150 facilities belonging to 37 companies.
Development of defense industry reflects a tangible re -equipmentEnhanced by significant public subsidies, as the European Union seeks to maintain weapons missions to Kiev and at the same time replenish its own reserves, amid uncertainty about US commitment.
Huge investment in ammunition and rockets
The study focused on the lines of ammunition and rocketscritical points of West’s support for Ukraine. Sentinel-1 radar images show that one-third of the controlled facilities showed expansion work ranging from the construction of new factories to the creation of roads and parking lots.
The most ambitious projects include the common Rheinmetall – N7 Holding plant in Hungary, which was inaugurated in July 2024 and produces ammunition for armored vehicles LYNX, and will soon expand to the production of 155mm artillery projectiles.
The effect of the ASAP program
Much of the extensions concerns Facilities funded by the European ASAP program (Act in Support of Ammunition Production), budget of € 500 million. The program aims to remove obstacles in production. ASAP -reinforced facilities were developed faster than those who did not receive funding, with significant extensions to MBDA (Germany – Patriot missiles), Kongsberg (Norway), Bae Systems (United Kingdom) and Nammo (Finland).
Thanks to these investments, the Annual Production Power. Rheinmetall predicts that it will now decide the production of 155mm artillery missiles by 2027.
Strategic turn but also persistent restrictions
In spite of increasing potential experts estimate that the real production remains lower than potential. Large range rockets and critical components, such as small jet engines, are still weak links. Researcher Fabian Hoffmann emphasizes that “rockets are essential for a reliable deterrence to the superiority of Russian land forces”.
The European Commission is already preparing New program of 1.5 billion euros to ASAP standardsenlarged to drones and anti -aircraft defense, with the aim of consolidating this significant shift to a constant war industry.