The USSR was poor and starving. But it didnt stop them from making a tidalwave of T-32 medium tanks to surround the German 4th army in Stalingrad. It didnt stop them from putting up the first satellite. It didnt stop them from developing a nuclear bomb. And it didn't stop them from developing MIGs and SU series aircraft. It didn't stop them from developing a 16 engined heavy lifting aircraft, and it didn't stop them from using dolphins as suicide bombers against ships and submarines.
So why should it stop the Xenos from developing something good?
Why should it stop the Unioners, Gaians, Corsairs, Bundschuh, GC or the Order?