We are doing our best: Pistorius promises to increase arms production for Ukraine

This was reported by DW.

According to the minister, production capacity is planned to be increased as soon as possible, as the German defence industry is currently not keeping up with demand in certain areas. This includes the production of ammunition and air defence systems. 

Pistorius said that the defence industry is increasing capacity "wherever it can", but it takes time to open factories and build up the necessary stocks. Once these processes are in place, it will be possible to produce weapons quickly and smoothly.

"This is a matter of speed, and you cannot have unlimited influence on speed," he said. 

The minister reminded that this was the case with the production of ammunition for Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns: it took Germany six months to resume it. 

Pistorius added that Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the United States. 

"We supply everything we can," he said. 

• Earlier, Pistorius confirmed that the EU would not be able to deliver the promised 1 million shells to Ukraine by March 2024.