EU arms industry faces pressure to ramp up output

Europe’s defence industry should significantly increase its production capacity, including by introducing multi-shift or continuous operations, André Wüstner, chairman of the Association of the German Armed Forces, has said, amid growing pressure from European governments to accelerate arms production.

According to Wüstner, while companies are already increasing output, they are doing so without clear, long-term commitments from defence ministries. Armaments firms say that greater predictability of orders is key to investing in new production capacity and facilities.

The sector’s growth is reflected in data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Europe’s largest defence companies have seen revenues rise by 13 per cent to €130 billion in 2024, while global arms sales reached a record high.

Wüstner also proposed creating a mechanism that would allow for a rapid transition to a war economy in the event of further escalation of the conflict with Russia.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is exploring new tools to support the industry, including possible agreements with companies to ensure production capacity is ready for a sudden surge in demand.

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