According to France 24 News Channel **March 2**, EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told reporters in Paris on March 1 that France is unable to manufacture enough missiles and artillery shells for its armed forces due to a lack of gunpowder. Earlier, France's Macron also said at a coalition rally in Paris on February 26 that Europe needs to face up to the shortage of certain components, especially gunpowder.
As for the reason for the lack of gunpowder, this marketing commissioner actually used a surprising reason to "dump" China. Breton said that a specific type of cotton was needed to make gunpowder, and that cotton came mainly from China. But a few months ago, cotton shipments from China "came to an end by accident." He said that at present, the Nordic countries have found a way to replace Chinese cotton, but it will take time.
Rheinmetall plant that produces 155mm shells Source: Social**.
The report quoted experts from the European Union as saying that modern gunpowder is needed for contemporary artillery shells, missile propellants, propellants and part of the warheads. Gunpowder is indispensable for the production of 155-mm shells of the NATO standard.
Earlier, France's Macron also said at a meeting of allies in Paris on February 26 that we are "all aware of the need to face up to the shortage of certain components, especially gunpowder." We are now very short of gunpowder. ”
Despite the importance of gunpowder in the manufacture of shells, the number of gunpowder producers in Europe is very small. There are two major suppliers of gunpowder: Euroenco, which has operations in France, Belgium and Sweden, and Nitrochemie, which is controlled by Rheinmetall, which has factories in Germany and Switzerland.
Due to the lack of raw materials needed to make gunpowder, the ** company Urenco has reduced gunpowder production and transferred some of its production capacity to Sweden. In this regard, Murney, deputy director of the French think tank "Institute of International Strategic Relations", said that the number of gunpowder producers in Europe is very small, and many countries are eager to promote the return of manufacturing, he added: "This is one of the bottlenecks in the manufacture of ammunition, and the most important problem is the production of gunpowder".
To make gunpowder, Breton said, you need a specific kind of cotton, and this cotton comes mainly from China. But a few months ago, cotton shipments from China suddenly stopped. He said that at present, the Nordic countries have found a way to replace Chinese cotton, but it will take time. The EU hopes to produce more than 1.5 million 155mm artillery shells a year by the end of the year to cope with the attrition caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"The Nordic countries have found an alternative to Chinese cotton, and we're looking for new ways because we really don't have gunpowder production capacity right now," Breton said. ”
The reference to "some kind of cotton" may be referring to nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose generally refers to nitrocellulose, which is the product of the reaction between cotton cellulose and nitrate. Nitrocellulose burns extremely quickly, can produce high temperature and high pressure, and can be used as a raw material for explosives. There are many classification methods for nitrocellulose cotton, which can be divided into two categories: energetic nitrocellulose and industrial nitrocellulose according to its use. The nitrogen content of nitrocellulose is high, and its energy components are used to prepare explosives, military and civilian propellants, etc. This is also one of the earliest developed uses of nitrocellulose quilts. Data shows that in 2022, China will export 0610,000 tons and 0590,000 tons, accounting for 25 percent of the country's nitrocellulose exports5% and 248%。France, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other countries accounted for the proportion. 2% and 41%。
Despite this, the market commissioner expressed optimism about the future of the EU's expansion, which hopes to expand to more than 1.5 million rounds of 155mm artillery shells per year by the end of the year to cope with the attrition caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The EU's efforts to increase the production of artillery shells will bring the EU's annual production capacity to between 1.5 million and 1.7 million shells by the end of the year. He estimated the corresponding figure in Russia to be "slightly below 2 million."
The EU promised last year to deliver 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March this year, but EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell admitted on January 31 this year that the EU could not achieve this goal and could only deliver 52 to Ukraine by March this year40,000 shells, which is about 52% of the set target. At the same time, he said that by the end of the year, the EU is expected to be able to deliver more than 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine. In this regard, Ukrainian ** Zelensky said that the EU previously promised to provide 1 million artillery shells, so far the Ukrainian side has received less than a third.
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