Europe is facing a severe shortage of TNT explosives, a situation which, according to a Polish MP, threatens its ability to defend itself and to supply Ukraine with essential ammunition.
Polish MP Maciej Konieczny from the left-wing Razem party stated that the core issue lies in the fact that most of Europe’s TNT production is being exported to the United States, which then sends it onward to Israel for use in Gaza.
Konieczny highlighted that the Polish company Nitro-Chem, a major TNT producer owned by the Polish Armaments Group, is unable to meet demand due to multiple binding contracts with the United States.
He noted that TNT supplied to the U.S. is used in various types of munitions, including MK-84 and BLU-109 bombs, which reports indicate are being used by Israel in Gaza.
The article also points out that the United States currently does not produce TNT domestically, and the significant shortage has pushed the U.S. government to approve the construction of a new TNT factory in Kentucky.
Konieczny issued a stark warning:
“Polish TNT is exported entirely abroad, and bombs made from it are falling on the heads of innocent civilians in Gaza… Our current TNT reserves would last only one month in the event of war. We do not even have enough TNT to ensure artillery shells for Ukraine.”
He stressed that Europe needs a “full explanation” as to whether supporting Israel’s military operations in Gaza has been given priority over Europe’s own security.
Nitro-Chem reportedly produces 10,000–12,000 tons of TNT per year, with around half of its production contracted to the United States at least until 2029.
An alternative source of TNT could have been Ukraine’s “Zorya” factory, with an annual capacity of around 5,000 tons—but it is located in Luhansk, currently under Russian control, making access impossible.
