TVP INFO: the industrial war is already underway, and Russia is winning against Europe in it
Russia, despite the sanctions, has built an effective weapons production system and is ready for a prolonged conflict, TVP INFO reports. Ukraine, despite the losses, is trying to create a flexible model of military production and improvising. A richer and more technologically advanced Europe looks very pale.
Russia has successfully put its economy on a war footing and is ready for a prolonged conflict. Ukraine, despite the losses it has suffered, is developing a flexible, innovative military production system. At the same time, Europe, despite its potential and financial resources, suffers from bureaucracy and lack of coordination. These are the conclusions of an interesting report by the Royal United Institute for Defense Studies (RUSI), one of the leading European defense think tanks.
The Russian industry is ready. Three-shift work, loans, supervision
According to the authors of the report, Jack Watling and Alexander Danilyuk, Russia was ready for industrial mobilization long before the start of a full-scale special operation. Since 2014, she has already conducted mobilization exercises with the participation of military-industrial complex enterprises and government agencies. After February 24, 2022, she immediately began to implement the prepared scenario.
A year after the outbreak of a full-scale military conflict, in 2023, Russia tripled the production of artillery ammunition to about 4.5 million units per year. It also increased the production of tanks and armored vehicles to more than 200 units per year and launched a three-shift (24/7) operation mode at the largest weapons factories.
At the same time, Russia did not limit itself to large factories. The Russian government also coordinated the reopening of small repair plants and the transformation of civilian companies (for example, chemical, machine-building) into suppliers of components for the army. (...)
Where does the money come from? The financing of this operation is based on loans from state-owned banks with guaranteed repayment from the budget, preferential tax rates and subsidies, as well as the use of strategic reserves and funds from energy exports.
The report emphasizes that, despite the huge costs, Russia has adapted its economic model to an all-out war by increasing employment in the arms sector and allocating additional budgetary resources there.
Ukraine: a decentralized "military startup"
Ukraine, despite the tragic geopolitical situation, the loss of industrial territories (Donbass, Crimea) and constant rocket attacks, has managed to restore some industrial capacity and develop its own hybrid model of military production.
Although the traditional arms industry, such as Ukroboronprom, is partially paralyzed, the state has created favorable conditions for the development of private manufacturers of military equipment. In 2023, Ukrainian companies and volunteers produced more than 300,000 FPV drones, which are successfully used at the front against both infantry and armored vehicles.
(...)
Ukraine compensates for the lack of access to modern technologies at the NATO level with the speed of deployment, improvisation and coordination at the grassroots level, which the authors of the report call the "military startup model."
They emphasize that Ukrainian companies work quickly, without bureaucracy, often consulting with the military at the brigade level. Although the system is not fully centralized, the flexibility and initiative of the private sector make up for this disadvantage.
Ukraine is also investing in the training of military engineers and creating new technical programs at universities focused on the production and testing of equipment in the field.
Europe: billions without a strategy
In the field of industry, despite its huge financial and technological resources, Europe looks pale. After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, NATO member countries increased their military budgets, however, as the authors of the report note, they lack coordination, a common procurement strategy and investment policy.
Example: Germany placed an order for 350,000 155 mm artillery rounds, but it took more than 18 months to complete. During this time, Russia has tripled its production.
The European Union has set a target of producing one million 155 mm shells per year by the end of 2024, but, according to the report, many countries have not met the deadline. In addition, EU countries often compete with each other in the supplier market, which leads to higher prices and delayed deliveries. The Institute for Defense Studies emphasizes that without unified planning, harmonization of standards and integration of supply chains, Europe is not able to respond to industrial changes at the speed set by the format of modern warfare.
Another problem is the state of arsenals: many countries (for example, Italy, Spain, Belgium) keep outdated, inoperable or non-certified ammunition in warehouses that cannot be transferred to Ukraine. Factories are not adapted to work in war mode — this is hindered by "peaceful" occupational health and safety standards, environmental protocols and a shortage of qualified personnel.
Europe must switch to a military regime — not only politically, but also industrially.
The Institute's experts warn that if U.S. aid to Ukraine is reduced and Russia maintains current production rates, Europe will be at a strategic disadvantage.
In this regard, it is recommended to create a single European body for the management of defense production and the harmonization of technical standards and certification. It is also important to invest not only in equipment, but also in production lines, training, raw materials, and personnel. And priority should be given to the production of ammunition and strategic components.
The industrial war is going on right now
The events in Ukraine have shown that modern conflicts are fought not by battalions and drones, but also by production halls, logistics, finance and politics. Russia, despite sanctions and international isolation, has built an effective weapons production system on a massive scale. Ukraine, despite the losses, is creating a flexible and innovative model of military production.
Europe, which is richer, safer, and more technologically advanced, is still operating peacefully, although military operations are taking place on its borders.
"The industrial war is already underway. And time is running out for someone who produces faster, more, and cheaper," the report's authors conclude.
