Europe Must Adopt 'War-Mode' Defence Production, Says Polish Defence Minister
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Europe must accelerate its defence production to match Russia's pace, warning of negative consequences if it fails to do so.
Poland's Minister of National Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, has urged Europe to adopt a "war-mode" mentality in its defence sector. He warned that failure to do so could harm Europeans in the future, highlighting Russia's accelerated defence production.
Highlights
- The Polish Defence Minister called for Europe to switch to a "war-mode" in defence production.
- Russia's defence output increased before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is projected to spend 7.5% of its GDP on its armed forces in 2026.
- According to Estonian intelligence, Russia produced approximately seven million artillery rounds in 2025.
- Europe's defence industry lags behind Russia due to decades of underinvestment and fragmentation.
- The European Union (EU) and Norway are expected to produce only two million 150mm ammunition shells this year.
Details
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stated, "I am actually an advocate for the war-mode when it comes to the production in defence sector." He emphasized that this is what the Russian Federation is currently doing and that this fact cannot be overlooked. Russia significantly ramped up its defence production before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and is projected to allocate 7.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to its armed forces in 2026.
An Estonian intelligence report indicates that Russia produced roughly seven million artillery, mortar, tank, and rocket rounds in 2025. Russian forces are currently expending approximately 10,000 to 15,000 rounds per day in their ongoing aggression against Ukraine. In stark contrast, Europe's defence industry has been characterized by decades of underinvestment and fragmentation. A leaked report on Europe's defence readiness suggests that the 27 EU member states and Norway are expected to produce only two million 150mm ammunition shells this year.
Despite rearmament efforts by European countries and NATO members driving the strongest annual increase in defence spending since the Cold War, total EU member states' defence spending in 2025 was estimated at €418 billion, or 2.2% of the EU's total GDP. Poland is among the top spenders, allocating 4.7% of its GDP to core defence capabilities.
Why it matters
The call for Europe to accelerate its defence production and counter Russia's growing military capabilities marks a critical juncture for the continent's security architecture. This is crucial for Europe's self-defence capabilities against potential future threats and highlights the necessity for fundamental changes within its defence industry.