NATO focuses on expanding weapons production as defence spending increases

One year after NATO members agreed to significantly increase defence spending, the alliance is now facing another major challenge.

One year after NATO members agreed to significantly increase defence spending, the alliance is now facing another major challenge. While member countries are investing record amounts in their militaries, officials say the defence industry is struggling to produce enough weapons and equipment to meet growing security needs.

The issue is expected to be a key topic at next week’s NATO summit in Ankara, where leaders from the 32 member states will also attend a defence industry forum. During the event, governments and manufacturers are expected to announce new contracts worth billions of dollars aimed at increasing military production and strengthening the alliance’s defence capabilities.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stressed that increased funding alone will not improve security unless it leads to faster production of modern military equipment. He said financial commitments must be converted into combat ready capabilities as quickly as possible to ensure the alliance remains prepared for future threats.

Defence spending across Europe and Canada increased by about 90 billion dollars last year, reflecting growing concern over regional security. However, experts say expanding military budgets is only the first step. Many manufacturers continue to face production delays, shortages of critical components, and limited industrial capacity, making it difficult to supply armed forces with the equipment they need.

The pressure on defence industries has grown since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. The conflict exposed weaknesses in Europe’s ability to produce ammunition, missiles, and other military supplies on a large scale. At the same time, recent US military operations involving Iran have also reduced American stockpiles, creating additional demand for defence manufacturers to replenish supplies.

European governments are increasingly seeking to strengthen their own defence industries as they aim to reduce dependence on the United States. Concerns over future American security commitments have encouraged many countries to invest more heavily in domestic production and closer cooperation within Europe.

European Union Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said governments have succeeded in finding additional money for defence but now face the more difficult task of using those resources effectively. He argued that Europe must improve production, innovation, and military readiness if it wants to match or surpass Russia’s capabilities.

Industry representatives say progress is already being made after decades of limited investment. Defence companies across Europe have started expanding factories and increasing production capacity. However, they acknowledge that current output still falls short of what would be needed during a prolonged military conflict.

Security analysts warn that Europe could quickly face shortages of essential weapons if a major war were to break out. Although annual artillery shell production has increased from around 300,000 in 2022 to a target of two million, experts believe that would still be insufficient for a long lasting conflict involving large scale military operations.

Another challenge is the fragmented nature of Europe’s defence industry. Each European Union member state largely maintains its own procurement rules and often gives preference to domestic manufacturers. Experts say this limits cooperation, slows production, and reduces efficiency across the continent. Calls for a more unified European defence market continue, but political and economic interests remain significant obstacles.

Many officials also believe Europe can learn valuable lessons from Ukraine’s defence industry. Despite fighting a full scale war for more than four years, Ukraine has rapidly expanded its production of drones and other battlefield technologies. European governments and defence companies are increasingly working with Ukrainian firms to benefit from their wartime experience and technological innovations. Analysts say closer cooperation with Ukraine could help Europe strengthen its own defence industry while improving its long term security preparedness.