Most European countries have let defense production pretty much idle or stagnate for the past couple of decades under the blind assumption that things would remain stable, and if things went tits up, being allied with the US would fix everything.
During the GFC defense spending was pretty much the first thing to get axed - and it never recovered IMO in most places.
The leadership in some countries also has been frankly fucking delusional about the threat posed by Russia.
Now everyone’s getting that kick in the arse, a wake up call, and learning that expanding production is extremely difficult when you no longer have the factories or workforce capable of producing stuff like 155mm shells.
During the GFC defense spending was pretty much the first thing to get axed - and it never recovered IMO in most places.
The leadership in some countries also has been frankly fucking delusional about the threat posed by Russia.
Now everyone’s getting that kick in the arse, a wake up call, and learning that expanding production is extremely difficult when you no longer have the factories or workforce capable of producing stuff like 155mm shells.