In 2025, the countries of the European Union plan to produce about 2 million artillery shells.
Newly appointed European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius spoke about this Kubilius to the correspondent hromadske.
Europe to Increase Weapons Production
Speaking about whether Europe will be able to increase production to increase military aid to Ukraine, the official noted that only 20-25% of weapons are manufactured in EU countries, and the rest is purchased abroad.
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Kubilius explained that to increase production, orders are needed from EU governments, which are currently in short supply. Without long-term contracts with manufacturers, one should not expect an increase in the production of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine in the future.
— Money from the EU budget cannot be used to purchase weapons for Ukraine. There are a number of restrictions on investment in the defense industry outside the EU. However, money from the European Peace Fund or frozen Russian assets can be used to purchase weapons, he noted.
The European Commissioner added that Ukraine will receive about 30 billion euros from the EU in 2025. The country itself will decide what to use these funds for.
The EU is currently implementing a new mechanism that will allow the integration of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex into the structures of the European Union.
Next year, the EU plans to intensify support for the Ukrainian defense industry and deepen cooperation in this area. Such intentions were announced at the EU summit, which took place on December 18-19.
A few days before the summit, the EU's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas announced that from January 2025 the Union would provide monthly financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of €1.5 billion.
