Just two weeks ago the British Ministry of Defence placed contracts with 22 companies to plan a new generation of explosives factories, with feasibility studies due by the end of September and construction meant to begin before the end of the year. The goal is at least six new plants producing energetic materials: the explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics that go inside every shell, bomb, and missile a military fires. Military chiefs are racing to break ground because Britain's stockpiles, drawn down by donations to Ukraine, cannot be rebuilt without them. It is the most instructive defense industrial story in the world right now, and Washington should be taking notes.