Rheinmetall reveals how much weaponry Europe needs to counter Russia
Artillery shells (Illustrative photo: GettyImages)
Currently, the entire Western world has about two million artillery shells at its disposal. This is not enough. Restocking supplies will take at least 10 years, according to an interview with Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger on Sky News.
"At the moment, the western world has a capacity of about two million rounds of artillery which is not enough. We need more, and 50% of those shells will be produced at Rheinmetall," said Armin Papperger.
When asked how long two million shells would last, he referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s figures: 2.5 million shells would be needed in the event of a ceasefire, and 4.5 million in the event of full-scale war.
According to the CEO of the weapons manufacturer, fully replenishing stockpiles will take 10 years. However, Europe would be able to defend itself if attacked before then.
The German company Rheinmetall is the largest arms manufacturer in Europe and aims to produce 350,000 shells per year by 2027.
The 155-millimeter shells will be used to replenish the German army’s arsenal and to increase Ukraine’s armaments.
The company is also building a gunpowder factory in Romania, as well as two factories in Bulgaria and a weapons barrel production plant in the UK. These projects are a direct response to Russia’s aggression and a result of Germany and its European allies’ demand for rearmament.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported, citing NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, that European countries have been able to increase ammunition production sixfold over the past two years.
The NATO chief called on defense companies to increase the production of various types of weapons, including missiles, tanks, and air defense systems, citing Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex as an example.
Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has significantly increased weapons production and implemented advanced technologies already being used at the front.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s arms production has increased 35-fold since the beginning of the full-scale war.
