The military industry of Eastern Europe has increased the pace of weapons production due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Reuters reported about this.

Arms industry is churning out guns, artillery shells and other military supplies at a pace not seen since the Cold War.

This is due to the fact that the countries of the region are joining efforts to help Ukraine in the fight against a full-scale Russian invasion.

It is noted that since February 24 this year, the United States and Great Britain have provided the largest amount of direct military aid to Ukraine. Poland comes third, while the Czech Republic occupies ninth place.

Being in fear of Russia as their Soviet-era master, some former Warsaw Pact countries still see helping Ukraine as a matter of regional security. Also, the Russian-Ukrainian war has opened up new opportunities for the military industry of Eastern Europe.

“Taking into account the realities of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the visible attitude of many countries aimed at increased spending in the field of defence budgets, there is a real chance to enter new markets and increase export revenues in the coming years,” said Sebastian Chwałek, CEO of Poland’s PGZ.

Poland’s state-owned PGZ controls more than 50 companies making weapons and ammunition – from armoured transporters to unmanned air systems.

After the full-scale war began, PGZ decided to double its investment in the industry to $1.8 billion over the next ten years, Chwałek said.

For example, in 2022, PGZ will produce 600 Piorun MANPADS, then in 2023 their number should increase to 1,000. According to Chwałek, not all of these portable anti-aircraft missile complexes will go to Ukraine, they are also intended for other customers.

Other defense companies are increasing production capacity as well, Reuters reports referring to the company representatives and officials from Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

According to Czech Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Kopecny, Ukraine has received nearly $2.1 billion of weapons and equipment from Czech companies. The minister adds that almost all companies that produce these weapons and equipment are private. This year, Czech arms exports will be the highest since 1989, he said.