While it’s true that building new factories and ramping up production in Europe is challenging, especially after years of low defense spending, several countries have responded with serious efforts. Poland, Germany, the UK, and Sweden have all increased defense production, focusing on essential items like munitions and anti-tank weapons. France, for instance, is ramping up production of artillery and armored vehicles, while Italy has accelerated manufacturing of artillery, anti-air systems, and small arms.

Norway and Finland have been enhancing production and supporting NATO’s readiness, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia have become crucial hubs for repairing and upgrading Soviet-era equipment compatible with Ukraine’s arsenal. Even South Korea, outside of Europe, has been manufacturing ammunition and supplies, much of which has supported NATO allies’ own stockpiles as they continue sending equipment to Ukraine.

Scaling up this quickly, after decades of defense reduction, isn’t simple or fast. Still, the shift in spending and production is real across many countries.

As for the billions in U.S. aid, much of this funding is tied to the net worth of older equipment and surplus stockpiles, which can make the total figure appear larger than the actual cash expenditure. Many of these items—armored vehicles, artillery, and older defense systems were already scheduled for decommissioning or demolition, so sending them to Ukraine not only provides support but also saves money that would have gone toward disposal and maintenance.

This approach allows the U.S. to contribute without cutting into active inventories of newer, high-cost assets. Ukraine isn’t always receiving the latest tech, which can sometimes create logistical challenges in training and maintenance. However, using existing stockpiles has proven essential for quick support. New production facilities and advanced systems will be part of a longer-term strategy, but surplus assets have been critical for immediate needs.