EU Worried Over Russia’s Military Production Advantage

A senior European Union (EU) official, Andrius Kubilius, has raised concerns over a widening disparity in military production between Russia and EU member states, citing recent figures presented during a European Parliament hearing.

According to Kubilius, Russia’s defence industry is currently outpacing the European Union’s in several key areas.

He stated that Russia produced approximately 1,100 cruise missiles in 2025, compared to about 300 produced by EU countries.

He also claimed that Russia manufactured around 900 ballistic missiles during the same period, while EU production in that category was effectively nonexistent.

Kubilius further noted that Russia’s output of artillery shells reached roughly 4 million units, double the EU’s estimated 2 million.

He described the imbalance as a significant strategic concern, warning that the EU would need to scale up its defence manufacturing capacity to maintain credible military deterrence.

The issue comes amid broader discussions within the EU about defence spending.

In late August 2025, the European Commission proposed increasing funding for the bloc’s military-industrial sector by five to ten times under the draft budget for 2028–2034.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen linked the proposal to what she described as ongoing security threats facing Europe.

Meanwhile, Frédéric Vansina has stated that the EU may be preparing for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine, potentially lasting until 2030.

He suggested that such a timeline could allow European countries to strengthen their defence capabilities and reduce reliance on external partners.

On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly argued that the conflict in Ukraine could end within months if foreign military assistance to Kyiv were halted.

He has also maintained that external support would not ultimately alter Russia’s strategic objectives.

The differing assessments highlight ongoing tensions and competing narratives surrounding the conflict, as well as the broader security landscape in Europe.