‘A lot higher than we expected’: Russian arms production worries Europe’s war planners

Russian arms production has escalated, exceeding European war strategists' expectations and reshaping the nation's economy.

Moscow increased defense spend to 7.5% of its GDP, reconfiguring supply chains to avoid sanctions.

Factories are continuously producing war materials, with workers operating under severe conditions to fuel the conflict in Ukraine.

President Putin has highlighted the creation of 520,000 jobs within the military sector as evidence of this industrial surge. Workers in this industry are now out-earning many professionals, marking a shift in the country's economic dynamic.

Russia's bolstered defense spend has raised concerns among NATO members about the country's capacity for prolonged warfare.

Russia's defense industry, composed of around 6,000 companies, was considered inefficient before the war but has shown resilience and scalability since.

Observers note this "Kalashnikov economy" reflects Russia's historical investment in military readiness over economic efficiency. Meanwhile, European arms manufacturers, motivated by profit, cannot match Russia's government-directed production flexibility.

Russia, facing challenges in procuring components for advanced weaponry due to sanctions, has nonetheless managed to maintain production of critical missiles and other military equipment.

In a move to continue this production growth, key manufacturing plants were recently transferred to the state-run Rostec corporation.

The intensification of military production has led to a rapid increase in the wages of factory workers, who are being aggressively recruited, sometimes with exemptions from military service.

This phenomenon has brought about a notable redistribution of wealth within Russia, particularly benefiting those connected to the defense industry.

Russia's intensified military spending signifies a departure from past priorities, with defense now supplanting oil as the economy's driving force.

Despite this industrial pivot, the economic burden remains challenging, as the country balances wartime expenditure with social responsibilities and inflationary pressures.

On the battlefield, despite suffering substantial vehicle losses, Russia claims to have produced a significant number of tanks, reactivating older models to continue its campaign against Ukraine.

The extensive demand for military hardware has led to expanded production lines and a reliance on prison and student labor to fulfill state orders.

Russian workers are reportedly under coercion to meet production targets for the war effort, with extended work hours mandated without consent. This aggressive industrial push reflects the critical role of Russia's military sector in sustaining the ongoing conflict.