Scholz calls for increased arms production in Europe
Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany (Photo: Getty Images)
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz called on European partners to significantly increase arms production, according to Stern.de.
"European partners must unite their orders and ensure the security of the defense industry for the next few decades. We must transition to large-scale arms production," Scholz said.
He emphasized that this was "urgently needed, as we are not living in times of peace."
"The aggressive war of Russia in Ukraine and the 'imperial ambitions', openly expressed by President Vladimir Putin, are the main threat to the European peace order. In this situation, the following applies: if you want peace, you must successfully deter potential aggressors," said the Chancellor of Germany.
Scholz made this statement during the opening ceremony of the new Rheinmetall ammunition plant in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony. It is expected that after construction and the launch phase, the plant will produce 200,000 artillery shells annually.
Rheinmetall to build a new plant to supply shells to Ukraine
As previously announced by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, the concern would build a new plant in Germany to produce ammunition. The shells would be supplied to Ukraine as well.
Papperger also dismissed accusations of slow arms deliveries to Ukraine.
"The pace is fast: what used to take ten years is now being done in a few months. We will now build a new munitions plant in Germany in record time to ensure strategic security of supply," he said.
He noted the good cooperation between the German government and the arms industry.
"A lot has changed for the better in military procurement. Last year, Rheinmetall alone received orders or framework agreements worth more than €10 billion from the federal government for the Bundeswehr and Ukraine. This year this amount will increase to at least 15 billion," he added.
