Wars are increasingly being decided not by the most advanced weapons, but by the sheer number of projectiles used in combat. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown that modern warfare can consume vast amounts of ammunition, forcing European countries to rethink their defense strategies. Traditional defense programs have focused on producing complex, high-tech weapons, but these are often limited in quantity and expensive to replace. As Russia's drone and missile attacks in Ukraine demonstrate, the rate at which modern conflicts deplete ammunition is often faster than many countries can replenish it. "If you think you have enough cruise missiles in your arsenal, you are probably wrong," notes Douglas Barrie from the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. European defense industries have spent years prioritizing the development of advanced weapons over the ability to mass-produce simpler, more affordable alternatives. Now, the challenge is not just designing new missiles, but building the infrastructure to produce them in large quantities. As Markus Schiller from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute points out, "Big wars are won by numbers, not through miracle weapons." This realization has led to a surge in interest in startups that specialize in creating cost-effective missiles and interceptors for mass production. Several European startups are stepping up to meet this demand. In June 2023, the Netherlands ordered 700 Ruta Block 2 cruise missiles from the European startup Destinus, spending 250 million euros. Meanwhile, the UK's Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Cambridge Aerospace for its Skyhammer system, designed to intercept missiles and drones. Steve Barrett, CEO of Cambridge Aerospace, highlights the challenge of countering Russia's ability to launch up to 900 drones in a single night. Traditional interceptors, he says, would be prohibitively expensive to use at that scale. These startups are not trying to replace high-end missiles, but to complement them by providing more affordable options for dealing with drones and cruise missiles. Companies like Estonian micro-missile manufacturer Frankenburg and Ukrainian startup Five Point are aiming to drastically reduce the cost of interceptors, with some targeting prices as low as one million euros per unit. While American defense giant Lockheed Martin has also introduced a cheaper version of its interceptor missile, its cost is still higher than what these startups aim to achieve. As the European defense sector shifts its focus toward mass production, the goal is not only to meet current needs but also to create a deterrent effect by demonstrating the ability to produce large quantities of military hardware quickly.