Germany's Rheinmetall to double ammo production in Ukraine
Photo: Rheinmetall to double shell production in Ukraine (Getty Images)
German defense contractor Rheinmetall plans to double the capacity of a future Ukrainian factory producing 155 mm artillery shells. The facility is currently under construction, according to the company's CEO, Armin Papperger.
The Ukrainian side wants to further reduce its dependence on ammunition supplies from Western partners and increase its production.
Initially, it was planned that the plant would produce 150,000 155-mm artillery shells per year, but at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, it was decided to double the capacity. It is expected that in 1-2 years, the enterprise will be able to reach a volume of 300,000 ammunition shells per year.
The Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine is scheduled to start operating next year.
At the same time, the CEO expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the project, blaming Ukrainian bureaucracy. He cited the example of a plant in Unterlüß, Germany, whose construction began at the same time as the Ukrainian one but has already been completed.
Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall is a German defense company specializing in the production of armored vehicles (including Lynx and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, Leopard 1/2 tanks), artillery systems (PzH 2000), ammunition (from 20 to 155 mm), air defense systems (Skynex), as well as electronics and drones.
The company supplies Ukraine with IFVs, tanks, self-propelled guns, ammunition, and air defense systems.
In February 2024, Rheinmetall announced about opening of a joint shell manufacturing plant in Ukraine. A memorandum on the establishment of a joint venture was signed during the Munich Security Conference.
In addition to ammunition, the enterprise will also produce propellants.
In total, the German concern Rheinmetall will own 51% of the shares in the joint plant, and the Ukrainian company will own 49%.
Rheinmetall has also partnered with an American company to produce drones.
