Comments by "peabase" (@peabase) on "EU struggles with Ukraine ammunition pledge | DW News" video.

@davidblair9877 The EU has no shortage of arms manufacturers. In fact, the problem is that they're too many of them, as EU countries try to buy locally-produced weaponry whenever possible. Further consolidation and standardisation is what's needed.
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I've been saying all along that Western arms manuacturers should remember Putin with a gift basket this Christmas. Putin greatly boosted demand for arms while at the same time taking Russia out of the arms market, so that the others can divvy up Russia's market share. The move is almost as brilliant as Putin's handling of Russia's oil and gas exports. Russia lost its best customers and now has to peddle its hydrocarbons to new "friendly" customers -- below cost. Oh, and China and South Korea should send gift baskets as well. They're big beneficiaries of Russia's arms market boost and withdrawal as well.
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@MotoRide. The West won't switch strategy to prepare for massive artillery duels in the event of a war involving NATO and Russia, if that's what you're trying to say. The war in Ukraine has been marked by a relative absence of air power on both sides. Hence the over-reliance on artillery.
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@ericp1139 It came as a surprise to everyone that Putin would be as asinine as to invade Ukraine, leading to a major war, the likes of which we haven't seen in Europe since WW2. Besides, had it been Russia vs. NATO, Russia's artillery would've been long since reduced to smouldering scraps. Ukraine lacks air power, not NATO.
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@eioclementi1355 "Russia exhibiting its latest weapons in Dubai to keep up appearances" would be the correct headline for your news item. It's a public secret that Russia can't fulfil contracts with its existing customers due to the need to divert production to its own depleted forces. Russia's need for weapons is such that it's even trying to buy back weapons it has already delivered to its customers. Perhaps worst of all, Russia's customers are taking their business elsewhere because they don't trust Russia's ability to deliver long-term. In the arms industry, trust is a huge issue. Meanwhile, China is gratefully taking over the lower end of the arms market from Russia, while Western countries are winning market share in the higher end of the market. Russia knows full well that domestic demand alone doesn't pay for expensive weapons programs. The death spiral is complete. There goes another Russian goose that laid golden eggs to the chopping block.
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@whatdoesntkillyoumakesyous6707 EU countries score very well in the Democracy Index. You could say we're dominating the top of the list. Where are these "EU politicians" from, you think?
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@peterpanini96 You're being disingenuous. Germany's Rheinmetall is the biggest producer of artillery rounds in the world. Its ammo production is currently maxed out. The others, France's Nexter in particular, need to step up production. And what has China got to do with the price of tea in China? Did you think the EU has placed orders for 155mm shells with Chinese defence companies?
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@sapatsuppa The elections staged by Russia in Crimea and Donbas have no legitimacy. Ask the UNGA.
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@Kite-te9km You sound like the perfect peace emissary to send to the Kremlin to open negotiations. Where have you been hiding all this time?
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Western militaries don't give as much weight to artillery as Russia and Ukraine do, whose fighting style is more reminescent of WW1. Ukraine's massive consumption of artillery shells came as a surprise, hence the shortfall.
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@ericp1139 Right. The funny thing is that NATO hasn't suffered a single casualty in Ukraine. I can extrapolate further from Stoltenberg's comment: if Ukraine loses, the whole civilised world loses. Aren't you confused now.
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As an artilleryman in the reserves I'm partial to artillery, but I have to say you're exagerrating its significance on the modern battlefield. The war in Ukraine has seen relatively little use of air power, which has a prominent role in Western military doctrine. Russia and Ukraine are duking it out WW1 style with artillery. That won't be the new normal for future conflict. It's interesting that you pick Finland as an example of how things should be done. Finland relies heavily on conscription and a sizeable reserve to dissuade unwelcome attention from its Eastern neighbour. Finland's apparent over-reliance on artillery is a consequence of that, since conscripts can't realistically be trained to operate modern military jets, much less keep up their proficiency as reservists. Firing cannon, on the other hand, is not rocket science. Until recently, neighbouring Sweden, with its stronger air force, was expected to plug the gap. With Finland now in NATO, it's a whole new ball game.
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@stevenkraft8070 You should read up on SEAD. Like I wrote earlier, relatively little use of air power has been made in the war so far.
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Newsflash, your precious military industrial complex is not exactly known for its efficiency, as in bang for the buck. Just like European countries, which try to buy domestic whenever possible, the USA should look for more cost-effective foreign weapons systems. International R&D programs, too.
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@Llkc60 North Korea may ramp up its production of artillery shells to satisfy Russian demand, since it has little else to trade with, but the rest of Russia's supposed allies won't risk further sanctions. Moreover, it's in China's interest to see Russia weaken further, so it grows ever more dependent on China. Xi relishes having a neo-colony in Russia.
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