Ukraine war: Arms made at pace ‘highest since Cold War’ as Europe’s east aids Kyiv
Eastern and Central Europe's arms industry is churning out guns, ammunition, and other military supplies at a pace not seen since the Cold War as governments aim to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Allies have been supplying Kyiv with weapons and military equipment since Moscow went on a full-scale invasion of its western neighbour on 24 February, depleting their inventories along the way.
The US and the UK committed the most direct military aid to Ukraine until early October, a Kiel Institute for the World Economy tracker shows.
But the likes of Poland and the Czech Republic are not too far behind, in third and ninth place, respectively.
Still wary of Russia — their Soviet-era main overlord — some former Warsaw Pact countries see helping Ukraine as a matter of regional security.
But according to both government officials and company reps, the conflict also presented new opportunities for the arms industry in many European countries.
It is not just the ongoing war in Ukraine: many countries have increased their military and defence spending, both to replace what was donated and beef up what was previously in stock.
"There is a real chance to enter new markets and increase export revenues in the coming years," said Sebastian Chwalek, CEO of Poland's PGZ, a state-owned weapons and ammo consortium.
PGZ controls more than 50 companies making everything from armoured transporters to unmanned air systems and holds stakes in dozens more.
It now plans to invest up to 8 billion zlotys (€1.75 billion) over the next decade — more than double its pre-war target, Chwalek told Reuters.
That includes new facilities located further from the border with Russia's ally Belarus for security reasons, he said.
Other manufacturers are
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