Ukraine Russia War  

Rheinmetall intensifies artillery ammunition production to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian forces, aiming to deliver hundreds of thousands of advanced rounds, while also expanding long-term Western military readiness.

In a recent interview with Handelsblatt, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger unveiled plans to significantly boost Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian forces. The German arms manufacturer aims to ramp up production of artillery ammunition, with hundreds of thousands of rounds slated for delivery this year. These include advanced prototypes capable of reaching distances up to 100 kilometers.

Papperger stressed the crucial role of artillery in the conflict, highlighting Ukraine's struggles with ammunition shortages amid heavy Russian artillery fire. He also pointed out a broader issue: the Western world's lack of readiness for conventional warfare, citing declining production capacities for artillery munitions in Europe and the US.

To address these challenges, Rheinmetall plans to expand its annual artillery shell production from 70,000 to 700,000 in 2024, and further to 1.1 million in the medium term. This expansion involves setting up new facilities in Germany and Lithuania, with plans for a joint venture plant in Ukraine itself.

The move aims not only to support Ukraine in the short term but also to enhance long-term military readiness within the Western alliance. Additionally, the German government has already supplied Ukraine's Armed Forces with Vulcano long-range artillery shells, along with laser designators for the advanced Vulcano GLR variant.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall is collaborating with American defense contractor Northrop Grumman to develop a next-generation artillery projectile, under a 2021 cooperation agreement. This project competes with similar developments by Norwegian firm Nammo.

Overall, Rheinmetall's efforts represent a significant step in bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities and improving Western military readiness in the face of evolving security challenges.