Report: Israel's war in Gaza depletes NATO’s vital explosive reserves
By zoeysky // 2025-11-25
Copy
 
  • A severe shortage of the key explosive TNT is weakening both European and U.S. military stockpiles, creating a crisis for Western defense. This shortage is directly impacting the ability to supply Ukraine with artillery shells and to maintain adequate self-defense capabilities.
  • The core of the problem is a single factory in Poland, owned by the company Nitro-Chem, which has become Europe's only large-scale producer of TNT. The United States is buying the majority of its output to manufacture heavy bombs for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
  • This situation has created a critical vulnerability. Years ago, the U.S. and other European nations shut down their own TNT production due to pollution, making them dependent on this single source. This dependency means that supporting one conflict (Gaza) is now hindering the ability to support another (Ukraine) and protect Europe itself.
  • Western countries are scrambling to rebuild their production capacity. The U.S. and U.K. have invested billions in new factories, and a Swedish company is planning another. However, these projects face significant delays due to construction time and bureaucratic regulations, and won't be operational for years.
  • The shortage has caused the price of TNT to skyrocket, impacting not only military operations but also other industries like mining and construction. The situation forces a difficult choice on Western nations: balancing their international commitments to allies like Israel against their own fundamental security needs and support for Ukraine.
A severe shortage of key explosive TNT is crippling European and U.S. military stockpiles, and a coalition of international rights groups points a direct finger at an unexpected source: the scale of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. The drain on resources is so significant that it is reportedly leaving NATO members unable to adequately defend themselves or continue supplying Ukraine in its war against Russia. The heart of the issue lies in a single factory in Poland. According to a report, Europe's only large-scale producer of TNT, the state-owned company Nitro-Chem, is sending the bulk of its output to the United States. There, the explosive is used to manufacture heavy bombs like the MK-84 and BLU-109 "bunker busters," which are then supplied to Israel for its military campaign in Gaza. The report from a consortium of rights groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, states bluntly that "without Polish-made TNT, the unprecedented scale and intensity of aerial bombardment that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed the conditions of life in Gaza … would not be possible." The situation exposes a critical vulnerability in Western military supply chains. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S., U.K. and other European nations shut down their own TNT production facilities years ago largely due to the heavy pollution the manufacturing process creates. This left Nitro-Chem as the primary supplier for NATO allies, a dependency that is now causing major strategic problems. The consequences were starkly outlined in the Polish parliament by MP Maciej Konieczny. He revealed that, due to binding contracts to supply the U.S., Poland itself is left with barely a month's worth of TNT for its own wartime needs. This diversion of resources has pushed European militaries into a severe shortage, raising urgent questions about whether Israel’s bombardment is being prioritized over Europe’s fundamental security requirements. The data appears to support this concern. The rights groups' report notes that between October 2023 and July 2024, the U.S. transferred at least 14,000 MK-84 bombs to Israel while simultaneously drawing on Nitro-Chem’s output to replenish its own stocks. This massive demand from a single conflict is creating a bottleneck with far-reaching effects.

The ripple effect: From Gaza to a weakened Europe

The TNT shortage has a direct and negative impact on the conflict in Ukraine. Western nations are struggling to provide Ukraine with the artillery ammunition it desperately needs to hold the line against Russia. The lack of TNT is a core component of this crisis, limiting the production of new shells. This leaves Europe in a perilous position. With its own reserves depleted and its primary supplier’s output largely committed to supporting the war in Gaza, the continent’s ability to deter potential aggression or respond to a crisis is compromised. The shortage is not just a theoretical budget issue; it represents a dire lack of real-world military resources. The problem is compounded by the fact that alternative sources are not considered viable. While China and Russia are major producers of TNT, geopolitical tensions make them unreliable partners for the US and Europe.

Seeking solutions amid scarcity

In response to the crisis, Western nations are scrambling to rebuild their domestic production capabilities. The United States has awarded a $435 million contract to a Turkish company to build a new TNT plant in Kentucky, though it is not expected to be operational until 2028. Similarly, the U.K. has announced a £1.5 billion ($1.97 billion) investment in new munitions factories. In Sweden, a company called Swebal is attempting to build a new TNT factory that could increase Europe’s production capacity by 75%. However, the company’s CEO has publicly criticized onerous EU regulations for causing unnecessary delays, highlighting the bureaucratic hurdles to achieving self-sufficiency. The scarcity has also caused prices to skyrocket. A pound of TNT, which cost 38 pence two decades ago, now costs over £15 ($19.68). This cost increase affects not only warfare but also other industries, such as construction and mining. Experts warn that even the price of consumer electronics could be impacted, as the minerals used in them require explosives for extraction. For now, the pipeline from Poland to the US and on to Israel continues, fueling a conflict that is, in turn, allegedly weakening the defensive posture of the very alliance built to ensure Western security. The situation presents a stark dilemma for Western capitals: how to balance international commitments without leaving their own defenses exposed. Watch this clip about Israel and how it seeks re-escalation amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co Telegraph.co.uk TheGuardian.com BrightU.AI Brighteon.com
Copy