Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the construction of a shell powder factory in Bergerac, Dordogne on April 11, 2024. The global upheaval caused by the war in Ukraine and the ongoing rearmament worldwide necessitates a sustained effort from the defense industry to produce more and faster. Macron emphasized the need to transition to a “war economy” to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression. He stressed the urgency of the situation, citing the increasing military spending and orders across Europe.
The factory is expected to open in early 2025 and will be capable of producing 1,200 tons of powder annually. Eurenco, the company leading the project, has experienced a surge in demand, with orders stretching until 2030 and totaling 1.2 billion euros over the past six months. Macron praised the revival of powder production in France, highlighting the resurgence of demand and the strategic importance of local production in times of geopolitical uncertainty and conflict.
Accompanied by key ministers and industry leaders, Macron visited Bergerac to discuss the topic of rearming with members of the French defense industry. The President expressed his concern over the complacency that existed within the defense industry prior to the Ukraine crisis and stressed the importance of maintaining European security in the face of Russian aggression. Since announcing a switch to a war economy in 2022, the industry has been ramping up production to meet the increased demand for military equipment.
French orders for military equipment in 2023 totaled 20 billion euros, a significant increase from previous years. The country is expecting deliveries of various weapons systems, including missiles, shells, and anti-aircraft missiles. In response, companies like KNDS France and MBDA are working to increase production output to meet the growing demand. The French defense industry is striving to improve efficiency and speed up production to keep up with the evolving geopolitical landscape.
The resurgence of the defense industry in France reflects a broader global trend of increased military spending and rearmament. Macron’s leadership in reviving domestic production of defense materials highlights the strategic imperative for Europe to maintain a robust defense industry in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and conflict. The focus on accelerating production and meeting demand underscores the urgent need to adapt to changing security challenges and ensure the defense industry can effectively support national security objectives.
