---
title: "Lesson from Ukraine: Kubilius Calls on Europe to Ditch 'High-Fashion' Weapons for Mass Production"
description: "EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius urges Europe to abandon 'expensive fashion' in weaponry and adopt Ukraine’s model: mass, affordable production. 🇪🇺🇺🇦 He argues that 'good enough' weapons save the front — not million-euro tech marvels. 🚀"
date: 2026-05-27T07:15:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kubilius-calls-on-europe-to-ditch-high-fashion-weapons-for-mass-production
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Lesson from Ukraine: Kubilius Calls on Europe to Ditch 'High-Fashion' Weapons for Mass Production

![European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius in front of the European Commission logo](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/27/kubilius-prizval-evropu-otkazatsya-ot-vysokoy-modyi-v-oboronney-industrii/andrius-kubilius-eu-defense-commissioner.webp)

European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius has made a striking statement that could reshape the EU’s approach to military production. According to him, European nations must stop chasing technological perfection at any cost and learn from Ukraine: produce weapons cheaper, faster, and on an industrial scale.

### The Myth of 'High Fashion' in Defense

Kubilius did not mince words, comparing Europe’s current defense strategy to the 'high fashion' industry. In his view, European missiles and weapon systems have become too complex, expensive, and technologically sophisticated — turning them into exclusive products impossible to mass-produce quickly during actual warfare.

In contrast, Ukraine demonstrates a different approach. As the commissioner noted, Ukrainian engineers and factories prioritize practicality and volume. They produce what Europe might call 'good enough' — yet precisely this pragmatism is saving lives on the front lines.

### Numbers That Speak Volumes

A telling example is the comparison of cruise missile production rates. Kubilius cited Ukraine’s 'Flamingo' missiles as a benchmark:

- Ukraine plans to produce around 700 such missiles this year.

- Russia produces approximately 1,200 units.

- The entire European Union collectively produces fewer than 300.

This gap clearly shows that technological complexity does not always equal effectiveness in wartime.

### Peace Through Strength

The commissioner emphasized that strengthening Ukraine’s military is not merely humanitarian aid — it’s a strategic necessity. If Europe intends to return to negotiations with Russia, the only viable scenario will be 'peace through strength' — and that strength must lie with Kyiv.

To achieve this, Kubilius proposed concrete steps:

- Open national arsenals of EU member states to transfer whatever Ukraine needs immediately.

- Utilize the new €90 billion credit package to purchase weapons and scale up production.

- Overcome fragmentation of the defense market by stopping protection of national producers at the expense of competition.

### Creating a European Giant

In the long term, Kubilius supports the idea of forming a unified defense giant — Project Bromo — involving companies like Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo. The goal is ambitious: create a structure capable of competing with global players like SpaceX. 'Global competition requires scale and size,' the commissioner concluded.

Brussels’ stance aligns with data from the Ukrainian government: over 76% of frontline weapons are purchased from domestic producers. It seems Europe is finally realizing: in modern war, victory goes not to those with the most expensive weapons, but to those who can produce them fastest.