UK MP calls for building 'massive arms factory' in Poland to aid Kiev

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Telegraph
26 Jan 18:47

The Tory MP said that western governments have failed to implement a sufficient amount of foresight to help Ukraine "survive and thrive".

Five recently repaired T-72 battle tanks are pictured parked in a workshop at the Kiev Armored Vehicles Plant in Kyiv on Feb. 24, 2021 (Illia Ponomarenko/Kyiv Post)

The Telegraph reported on Thursday that British MP Tobias Ellwood has called for the establishment of a "massive arms factory" that is ought to be built in Poland to assist Ukraine in the conflict against Russia.

The Tory MP said that western governments have failed to implement a sufficient amount of foresight to help Ukraine "survive and thrive".

He further said that the model of tanks donations to Kiev with differing supply chains and types of ammunition was "unsustainable".

"It’s just not feasible in the long term," he said. "Tanks today, yes. But we need a strategy to make sure Ukraine can defend itself."

The creation of an arms factory in Poland could solve some of these strategic challenges, including making up for depleted military stockpiles and enhancing Kiev's forces' overall capabilities.

The inspiration for such an idea sttemmed from that of the opening of a microchip factory by Taiwan to avoid getting cut off from the West, the report states.

"Let’s do the same with Ukraine so they can procure their own equipment to their own specification, probably Nato standard, and have a constantly protected supply chain," said Ellwood.

Talks have already started with Poland

The Tory MP said that talks have already begun with Poland over the opening of an arms factory, adding that he proposed the UK take the lead in carrying out this project to ensure its success.

The factory would also manufacture German-made Leopard II tanks under license to increase stocks for future use.

Not only this would relieve the burden of western countries to keep up with Ukraine's arms demands, but it will also assist with replenishing stocks among NATO's militaries.

Yesterday, Washington announced it would supply Kiev with 31 Abrams tanks, which would constitute a Ukrainian tank battalion.

The announcement was issued shortly after Germany said it commits to providing 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine.

Earlier today, it was reported that weapon manufacturers in the US made a great profit in 2022 due to the massive amount of arms sales to other countries - especially Ukraine.

As a result of the war in Ukraine and a rise of tensions between the US and China over Taiwan, arms sales skyrocketed from $35.8 billion in 2021 to $51.9 billion in 2022. An even more significant profit was seen due to direct weapon sales from US manufacturers, going from $103.4 billion in 2021 to $153.7 billion that same year.

Last month, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement that the bloc had run out of military stockpiles as it provided Ukraine with an overwhelming amount of military support.

"This war has also been a wake-up call for all of us about our military capabilities. We have given weapons to Ukraine, but in so doing, we realized that our military stockpiles have been depleted. With conventional war returning to the heart of Europe, we also realized that we are lacking critical defense capabilities, to be able to protect ourselves from a higher level of threats on the European continent itself," he said in a statement.