Energetic Materials Production and Ammunition Sustainability in Europe
TNT, RDX and propellant manufacturing capacity as the upstream bottleneck in high-intensity firepower readiness
The ability to sustain high-intensity combat operations ultimately depends on the continuous production of energetic materials such as TNT, RDX and propellants. When these upstream industrial lines are absent, fragmented or under-capacity, ammunition stocks deplete rapidly and operational tempo collapses, regardless of the readiness of downstream assembly facilities. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that artillery and missile consumption rates can outpace existing NATO and EU production capacities within weeks, exposing structural vulnerabilities in Europe’s defence industrial base. This analysis examines energetic-material production as a distinct capability layer within ammunition and missile surge planning, assessing performance thresholds, industrial dependencies and supply-chain bottlenecks that will determine whether Europe can sustain mass firepower under prolonged high-intensity conditions through 2035.