Italy struggles to meet wartime production demands for Ukraine

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto thundered that the Italian factory producing the SAMP-T air defense system for Ukraine was closed in August due to holidays. "Putin decides that a car factory should produce weapons the next day. We can't even make changes in a facility that produces weapons to make it faster," he added.

Speaking at the conference forum, the defense minister, quoted by the Ansa agency, stated: "Italy is to deliver an air defense system to Ukraine, but the Italian company that is to assemble it was closed in August due to vacations, does not work on Saturdays and Sundays, and does not work in the evening."

Ansa notes that these words were aimed at the arms production system, which is not adapted to wartime conditions. Minister Crosetto added that "it needs to be changed quickly, and Europe has also understood this."

The agency also recalls the ministry head's earlier words: "I argue with Italian companies." It then points out that his latest comment about holidays and work mode sparked a reaction from the unions.

One of the factories producing the SAMP-T missile system is located in the Naples area. The local industry union, belonging to the CISL central, stated: "It is not true that the company does not work on Saturdays and was closed for the entire August." The union representatives assured us that production was launched in three shifts and that an increased number of employees was already anticipated.

The problem is that a fourfold increase in production cannot be achieved in a few weeks, explained union leader Fabio Bernardini. He reminded that the factory also has contracts with other countries.

Ansa pointed out that, according to both sides, unionists and the minister, the problem is structural.

Guido Crosetto explained it: "Russian, Chinese, and Iranian factories work seven days a week, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. I exaggerate, but we are the opposite of these systems. Putin decides that a car factory should produce weapons the next day."

"We," the minister admitted, "can't even make changes in a facility that produces weapons to make it faster."

European ministers have acknowledged that this needs to be changed, and I hope we will do it as soon as possible because what is most lacking is time, Crosetto declared.

On the other hand, defense industry unionists believe that the government must speed up the procedures for issuing investment approvals in this sector. As they reminded, this matter has stalled in the Council of Ministers.