Europe’s largest ammunition producer Rheinmetall to open artillery ammunition factory in Ukraine

Europe, News February 20, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Europe’s largest ammunition manufacturer, Rheinmetall signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Ukrainian partner company to open a new artillery ammunition plant in Ukraine.

German defense firm Rheinmetall signed the MoU with Ukraine during the Munich Security Conference in the presence of the country’s Minister for Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin.

Under the agreement, Rheinmetall will have a 51 percent share in the new company, while the Ukrainian partner will have the remaining 49 percent stake.

According to the Rheinmetall statement, “The Ukrainian Competence Center for Ammunition is to produce a six-digit number of 155mm caliber bullets per year in the future, including the corresponding propelling charges. To achieve this, the partners plan to build and jointly operate a new production facility.”

Chairman of the executive board of Rheinmetall AG, Armin Papperger said, “Demand for ammunition in many countries is enormous – first and foremost in Ukraine, of course. Our intention of establishing another joint venture underscores our support for Ukraine. This joint venture will make a vital contribution to the country’s ability to defend itself – and thus to the security of all Europe.”

*^{German defense firm Rheinmetall signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Ukrainian partner company. (Image Credit: Rheinmetall)}*

Papperger highlighted that “We want to be an effective partner of Ukraine, to help rebuild the country’s once powerful defense industry, and to assure Ukrainian autonomy in ammunition production. Already today, we are Kyiv’s most important defense industry partner. We are currently processing several billion euros worth of projects on behalf of Ukraine, with more almost daily.”

Rheinmetall is a vital strategic partner of Ukraine, supplying the embattled country with ammunition, combat vehicles, air defense systems, military trucks, and mobile field hospitals.

Rheinmetall is also supporting the Olena Zelenska Foundation in Kyiv, founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife Olena Zelenska. The German arms manufacturer recently donated 100,000 euros to the foundation. The foundation’s charitable initiative supports projects in the areas of education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid.

Germany’s support to Ukraine

Germany has recently paced efforts to supply military equipment to Ukraine and the cooperation underscores Rheinmetall’s role as a leading supplier of indirect fire technology.

The European partner is providing Ukraine with artillery shells, armored vehicles, air defense systems, self-propelled howitzers, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance drones.

Last year in November, Rheinmetall received an order from the German government to produce around 100,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition and supply to Ukraine to support its efforts against Russia. The order is part of a €400 million military aid package for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Ukraine has also received Rheinmetall’s Oerlikon Skynex, a German-made anti-aircraft system designed for short-range defense. Oerlikon Skynex is a mobile, modular anti-aircraft artillery system manufactured by Germany’s Rheinmetall. The system is particularly designed to wipe out drone swarms by firing 1,000 bullets a minute.

German defense firm Rheinmetall's Skynex air defense system — *^{German defense firm Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense system Oerlikon Revolver Gun. (Image Credit: Rheinmetall/Angela Blattner)}*

According to Rheinmetall, the Skynex system can defend against large tactical drones, air-to-ground missiles, mortars, and artillery rockets. The system consists of a 3D target-acquisition radar, which can identify aerial threats within a 50-kilometer range.

The system is outfitted to accommodate four 35mm Mk3 revolver guns, capable of firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute. These revolver guns are equipped with tracking radars and infrared cameras, along with laser range finders, enabling precise targeting of even the smallest entities.