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155-millimeter artillery ammunition from Rheinmetall
The German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall wants to produce ammunition for artillery systems in Ukraine in the future. The company announced this on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
It was said that a declaration of intent to set up a joint venture had been signed with a Ukrainian company for production. The Ukrainian Industry Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin was also present. Rheinmetall will hold 51 percent of the shares in the joint venture, with the Ukrainian partner holding 49 percent.
"The joint venture will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's defense capability and thus serve security in Europe," said Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, according to a statement.
In the Ukrainian production facility, which is still to be built, Europe's largest ammunition manufacturer wants to produce a six-figure number of projectiles in the 155 millimeter artillery caliber every year. The corresponding propellant charges should also be produced. This ammunition is fired, for example, by the self-propelled howitzer 2000.
A panther made in Ukraine
The need for artillery ammunition in the war against Russia is huge. According to estimates, both warring parties fire thousands of projectiles every day. Rheinmetall recently announced the construction of a new ammunition plant at its location in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony. In addition to explosives and components for rocket artillery, artillery ammunition will also be built there from 2025. The plant is expected to produce 200,000 rounds of artillery ammunition annually.
Rheinmetall had already founded another joint venture last year with the Ukrainian state-owned company Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC, formerly Ukroboronprom. The company plans to maintain military vehicles in Ukraine, and armored vehicles will later be manufactured in Ukraine, including Panther battle tanks, the new flagship of the German arms company.
joe