NPR. In Davos this month, Ukrainian President Velotimir Zelensky gave an address.

And to be honest, even Zelensky seemed a little tired of giving the same speech.

So I don't like to hear my voice.

He doesn't like to hear his own voice, he says, but he went on to underline again just

how critical US-Aid is for a Ukrainian victory.

Without it, it is not possible. And one particular form of aid Ukraine is running low on is artillery shells.

Ukraine uses various types, but one of the most important NATO standard shells is the 155.

155 shells are these clunky bombshell 155 millimeters in diameter.

Picture a big champagne bottle that will kill you. On the

battlefield they're used in howitzes, these modern cannons. Ukraine is firing a

lot of these and similar shells since Russia's invasion, about 7,000

a day.

But the US and Europe have recently been supplying fewer 155 shells to Ukraine, partly

because they can't make them fast enough.

Shortages like these have been blamed on a philosophy of manufacturing called

just in time production.

This is the indicator from Planet Money, I'm Whelan Wong.

And I'm Darien Woods.

And this week we've got three stories related to the defense industry.

And on today's show, how just in time production moved

from carmakers to the war machine. We ask whether lean manufacturing styles are leaving the U.S. naked in a crisis. the following message come from Wise, the account that helps you manage your money all around the world.

You want your money to move fast, especially across borders.

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