Bloomberg: weapons prices in Europe have risen 50-60% in two years

According to Bloomberg, the cost of weapons and military equipment in European countries has risen sharply — the agency reports this citing Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

According to Pevkur, prices for military products have increased by 50-60% over two years. This complicates NATO’s plans to increase defense spending amid the pressure Europe faces due to the need for rapid rearmament.

An additional burden is created by the situation with supplies for Ukraine: Western countries are having to bear the bulk of the costs of providing them, as the United States shifts its attention to other priorities.

Pevkur described a “chicken and egg” problem: countries are facing a supply shortage on the market, yet the European defense industry is not ready to invest more funds until governments sign the relevant contracts.

Against this backdrop, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth has left Europe without the promised Tomahawk missiles. The signed document cancels the future deployment to Germany of American military personnel specializing in the launch of long-range missiles and munitions, and also orders the withdrawal from Europe of the command responsible for these capabilities.

The Washington Post, meanwhile, writes that Europe is increasingly reluctant to pay for weapons for Ukraine.