Katerina Chernovol22:17, 01/29/24
Such delays are especially painful for those on the front lines.
Western countries are under pressure to increase supplies to Ukraine at the same time as building up their own defensive arsenals. At the same time, the West will need two years to produce enough shells for the needs of Ukrainian troops .
The Financial Times writes about this . It is noted that the main problem is that Western enterprises do not have enough qualified workers to meet demand. Experienced specialists are retiring, while attracting the younger generation to production is becoming increasingly difficult.
Not only large defense companies, but also their suppliers are facing worker shortages. In particular, CSG, which produces 155mm ammunition for howitzers used in NATO countries and Ukraine, wants to speed up production. They’ve been waiting for new equipment for almost four years. The company currently operates in three shifts using existing equipment. However, if it had greater capacity, production volumes could be three times greater.
In addition, the production of weapons requires skill. Many processes are automated, but some work still has to be done manually.
“Western countries are under pressure to increase supplies to Ukraine at the same time as building up their own defense arsenals. Weapons manufacturers live with a fundamental dilemma: in times of peace, when they need a constant flow of contracts, there is little incentive for politicians to spend money on weapons. However, in times of instability, spending defense spending is rising, leading to full orders but long delays as companies lack enough skilled workers to fill the supply chain.
The author of the article emphasizes that such delays are especially painful for those on the front line. One senior official noted that it would take Western defense manufacturers two years to produce enough ammunition to keep Ukrainian soldiers as well equipped as Russians.
(C)UNIAN 2024
I think that where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps the powers to be haven’t smelled the coffee yet about the fact that if they can’t assure a victory for Ukraine, they will have two other choices; get cozy beneath mafia combat boots, or man their own trenches.
I think you’re right, Mr. Ofp, more could be done. And it doesn’t take genius or huge amounts of money, just common sense, attention to details, a smart strategy and political will. I’m thinking of the huge production increases of Nazi Germany in WWII. Albert Speer, not an industry expert, but effing Hitler’s favorite architect, accomplished these, in a situation when daily bombing raids and increasing shortage of everything already put a strong strain on the economy. His recipe? Full switch to wartime economy, stopping unnecessary production lines, employing additional workers, simplifying designs to reduce raw material demands and labor input. The same could be done nowadays. I see several possible ways:
– Western weapons, especially German ones, are often overengineered. Reducing complexity and overblown quality demands could decrease production times. For instance, use chips for consumer goods instead of “mil grade” ones.
– Wherever possible, simplify design or adapt it to automated production. Nobody really cares now if guns look ugly or weigh a few percent more.
– When some materials, like explosives, are scarce, put them to the best possible use. So, produce more smart grenades, with higher precision, to compensate for the lower number.
– Grenades, rounds and bombs don’t have to be produced for a long shell life in depots right now. Wartime ammunition will be put to use within one year.
– Recycle used parts as much as possible. There need to be more spare parts to reduce repair times. Adjust designs to improve maintenance in the field.
Just some ideas, there’s certainly more possibilities. If governments were dedicated to this, this could make a big difference, I’m sure.
Mr. Gray, I full agree with you. But, I’m afraid that none of this is going to happen. Why? There is no political will. The powers to be haven’t fully grasp the fact yet that Europe is in a very dangerous situation.