European arms factories ramp up production: A new era of rearmament amid the Russia-Ukraine war

08/15/2025 / By Zoey Sky

Since 2022, European arms factories have expanded by over seven million square meters, marking a historic shift toward large-scale rearmament. This expansion is driven by the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict and represents a generational shift in Europe’s defense strategy, moving from just-in-time peacetime production to a sustained war footing.
Satellite data reveals a surge in construction at European weapons plants, with about a third of 150 sites across 37 companies showing signs of expansion or new construction.
The European Union’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) program has been crucial in addressing production bottlenecks. ASAP has supported 88 sites, with visible expansions at 20 of them, facilitating critical investments in ammunition and missile manufacturing.
The rapid expansion aims to bolster NATO’s military capabilities to support Ukraine and deter Russian aggression. NATO warns that Russia’s weapons production outstrips the West’s, highlighting the urgency of increasing ammunition, missiles and hardware production to sustain military aid to Ukraine.
The buildup is seen as essential to meet NATO targets and deter potential Russian aggression, with leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling for “Europe’s strongest army.” However, the expansion poses challenges in terms of industrial capacity and the risk of escalating tensions with Russia, necessitating a balance between defense needs and diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict.

In a significant shift toward rearmament on a historic scale, European arms factories have been expanding at an unprecedented pace, with new industrial developments covering more than seven million square meters since 2022.

This surge in production, driven by the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict, marks a generational shift in Europe’s defense strategy, moving away from just-in-time peacetime production toward a more sustained war footing.

The analysis, which scrutinized over 1,000 radar satellite passes, revealed that building activity at European weapons plants has surged, with about a third of the 150 sites across 37 companies showing signs of expansion or new construction.

This includes major projects like the new Rheinmetall-N7 plant in Hungary, MBDA’s expansion in Germany for manufacturing Patriot missiles and the recent opening of a Kongsberg plant in Norway in 2024.

The Rheinmetall-N7 facility in Varpalota, Hungary, is a prime example of this expansion. The first factory, completed in July 2024, is already producing 30mm ammunition for Rheinmetall’s KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.

The site is set to expand further, with plans to produce 155mm artillery shells, 120mm ammunition for the Leopard 2 tank, and potentially the Panther tank, along with an explosives factory.

The data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellites, which use radar pulses to detect surface alterations, indicates a significant increase in construction activity. Areas marked by changes jumped from 790,000 square meters in 2020-2021 to 2.8 million square meters in 2024-2025.

This expansion is not limited to large factories. It also includes smaller developments like new car parks and roads, along with some safety features such as earthwork ridges at explosive facilities.

The role of the ASAP program

The European Union’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) program has played a crucial role in this expansion. With an investment of €500 million ($468 million), ASAP aims to address bottlenecks in the production of ammunition and missiles.

The program has supported 88 sites, with clear physical expansions visible at 20 of them, including the construction of entirely new factories and roads.

Manufacturers have praised ASAP for its instrumental role in facilitating critical investments. Norwegian-Finnish manufacturer Nammo, for instance, received about €55 million ($64 million) under ASAP to boost the manufacturing of shells, propellant and powder, and was part of another €41.4 million ($48.40 million) project with other manufacturers.

The expansion at Nammo’s Finnish production site in Vihtavuori is a testament to the programme’s impact.

Implications for the Russia-Ukraine war

The rapid expansion of European arms production has significant implications for the Russia-Ukraine war. (Related: Zelensky REJECTS Trump’s peace plan, insists Ukraine won’t concede territory to Russia.)

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has warned that Russia’s weapons production far outstrips that of the West, and the alliance is under pressure to bolster its military capabilities to support Ukraine and deter further Russian aggression.

The increased production of ammunition, missiles and other critical hardware is essential to sustain military aid to Kiev and ensure that NATO can meet its defense commitments.

However, the challenge lies in the ability of the industry to deliver what is being ordered.

The risk of Russian aggression

As Europe ramps up its defense production, the risk of Russian aggression remains a significant concern. NATO has warned that the Kremlin could be ready to attack the alliance within five years.

This warning underscores the urgency of the current rearmament efforts and the need for a robust defense strategy.

Western European leaders have described the buildup as essential not only to meet NATO targets but also to deter potential Russian aggression. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for building “Europe’s strongest army,” while his Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has backed moves to reintroduce conscription, reflecting a broader shift toward a more militarized Europe.

The expansion of European arms factories represents a significant shift in the continent’s defense strategy, driven by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the perceived threat of Russian aggression.

While the rearmament efforts are crucial for ensuring European security and supporting Ukraine, they also pose challenges in terms of industrial capacity and the risk of escalating tensions with Russia. As Europe moves toward a more sustained war footing, the next few years will be critical in determining the continent’s ability to balance defense needs with diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict.

The stakes are high, and the world is waiting with bated breath as Europe navigates this new era of rearmament.

Go to Chaos.news for more updates on how the rest of the world is preparing for the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war.

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European arms factories ramp up production: A new era of rearmament amid the Russia-Ukraine war

The role of the ASAP program

Implications for the Russia-Ukraine war

The risk of Russian aggression

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