Europe’s weapons factories have expanded at three times the peacetime rate, covering more than 7 million square meters, the Financial Times reported, citing radar satellite data.
The newspaper said production facilities grew from 790,000 square meters in 2020-21 to 2.8 million in 2024-25. Among the largest expansions was a joint project between German defense giant Rheinmetall and Hungarian state-owned N7 Holding, which built a vast ammunition and explosives plant in Varpalota, western Hungary. The analysis covered 150 facilities across 37 companies.
“These are deep and structural changes that will transform the defense industry in the medium to long term,” said William Alberque, a former senior NATO official.
The report said European nations are bolstering defenses to sustain military aid to Ukraine and in anticipation of a potential reduction in the United States’ role in the continent’s security.
On July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would continue sending weapons and military equipment to Kyiv as long as the European Union pays for the shipments in coordination with NATO. He said the deliveries would include 17 Patriot missile systems.
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