Retired gunsmiths in US put back to work because of Ukraine

The world’s biggest arms makers are scaling up production of rocket launchers, tanks, and ammunition as the industry shifts to meet what executives expect to be sustained demand triggered by the war in Ukraine.

For this purpose, the US company Raytheon Technologies has hired retired gunsmiths who used to assemble the Stinger man-portable air defence systems, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports.

Due to the fact that the US Army has not purchased the systems and missiles for them since 2008, the company has reduced its production to a minimum. However, by November of this year, there was a shortage of stock for the army's own needs, which became the reason for such emergency measures.

Other arms and military equipment manufacturers have also resorted to similar measures: the US-based Lockheed Martin Corp, Javelin system manufacturer Rheinmetall and Swedish ammunition maker Saab.