“We have identified at this point half a million rounds of 155 mm caliber and another 300,000 rounds of 122 mm caliber, which we will be able to deliver within weeks if we quickly find funding for that activity,” Czech President Petr Pavel said at the Munich Security Conference.
That’s the point. Countries refused to order from European producers for years, then push for buying outside “for Ukraine” -because they really need ammunition- now.
Could they have ordered ammunition two years ago? Yes! One year ago? Of course! What about last month? Sure! But they didn’t. Countries intentionally ignored the issue and waited until they can justify buying outside of Europe by the urgent demand.
This right here will be the downfall of Europe: countries actively avoiding European production if its not done by themselves but by neighbours that might be industrial competition some day.