NATO Countries Face Crisis in Explosives Cotton Shortage for Military Production
NATO countries are encountering a shortage of cotton fiber raw materials, which are a key component in producing nitrocellulose—the core ingredient in the explosives used to manufacture most modern ammunition.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the raw material for nitrocellulose is lint from cotton seeds—short fibers remaining on cotton seeds after processing. Limited supply of this raw material has become one of the primary obstacles hindering NATO member states from expanding ammunition production and replenishing military stockpiles.
To reduce reliance on external suppliers, NATO countries and the European Union plan to expand domestic production capacity. The EU aims to more than double its annual nitrocellulose output to 20,000 tons. Germany’s Rheinmetall plans to convert its civilian nitrocellulose production lines into military use, while Poland is planning to build a new specialized factory.
Furthermore, The Wall Street Journal notes that European countries are also facing shortages of TNT explosives. According to the report, Poland hosts Europe’s only TNT production facility. Previously, Taliya Yakoala, Assistant Secretary General for Defense Industry Innovation and Weapon Systems at NATO, stated that stockpiling large numbers of drones by NATO members might not be an appropriate strategy for addressing potential future conflicts, given the rapid pace of technological advancement. She believes the alliance needs to establish a new model of cooperation with defense industries, testing and training personnel through small-batch drone procurements.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871326473095179/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author