"I believe it is time that the European defence industry moves to a wartime economy model to cater for our defence production needs," Breton told UK media, adding that he was "determined to support the production ramp-up of the European defense industry to face the realities of a high-intensity conflict — starting with the question of ammunition."
Diplomats told a British newspaper on Friday that several EU member states are skeptical of Breton’s plans.
The newspaper said that Breton is working with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on a plan to boost arms production by expanding factory work and is pressing banks and other financial institutions, some of which boycott arms companies, to increase their lending.
A German magazine reported on Wednesday that the European Commission had developed a plan to increase the production of munition shells, including 155mm heavy artillery howitzer ammunition, to deliver them to Ukraine and boost the bloc's own reserves.