Radar-based analysis cited by the Financial Times shows the physical footprint of European arms factories has expanded to more than seven million square metres—three times the pre-war rate—since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The report says construction has accelerated across Germany, Poland, France and the Nordic states as governments rush to replenish stockpiles and back Kyiv. The build-out is being underwritten in part by Brussels. The EU’s €500 million Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) scheme and other subsidies are helping manufacturers boost capacity for artillery shells, missiles and armoured vehicles, according to the paper. Rheinmetall Chief Executive Armin Papperger told the FT that greater economies of scale and higher automation will allow the German group to lower unit prices for battle tanks even as overall defence spending soars. The company is adding new lines in Germany and Hungary and expects further orders from European and NATO customers. Separately, Japan’s government is preparing to relax long-standing restrictions on weapons exports, a shift that would open the door for the country to become a significant arms seller and deepen security cooperation with partners in Europe and the United States.