Armaments
New Rheinmetall ammunition work opened – praise from politics
Rheinmetall is investing a three-digit million amount in a work for artillery ammunition, the production of the 155-millimeter floors is to be expanded. Political prominence came at the start.
The armaments group Rheinmetall would like to expand its position as the strongest western provider of 155 millimeter floors with a new work for artillery. CEO Armin Papperger opened the facility in Lower Saxony in Lower Saxony in the presence of NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte as well as Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil and Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (both SPD). The production of the new factory, which according to the company, was found in just 14 months, is to be gradually raised: after 25,000 floors this year, it should be 350,000 floors in 2027, the range of which is up to 40 kilometers.
Including other locations, Rheinmetall would like to be 1.5 million shots in 2027, which would be about twice as much as at the moment. The investment volume in the system is 350 million euros. In addition, according to Papperger, there are 150 to 200 million euros for a smaller plant for rocket engines that is scheduled to start in Unterlüß in 2026.
500 jobs are to be created, 350 of them in the work for artillery ammunition. Rheinmetall has been present in Unterlüß for a long time, at the huge location the company has, among other things, a kilometer -long shooting track and production facilities for the pansmen Puma and other military goods.
At the opening ceremony, Papperger said with a view to the new work and the separate rocket engine system: “It was not easy for us to invest half a billion without an order.” He had only an oral assurance from Defense Minister Pistorius. In the meantime, however, orders came. “I am very grateful for you to comply with your Handshake agencies: you are a man of the word and the deed,” said the manager about the SPD politician. “I would have a huge problem if I had put it all and I would have no contracts.”
Much praise from politics and from NATO
The demand for such ammunition is sneaked up with the beginning of the Ukraine War in 2022, Rheinmetall is one of the most important suppliers of the country attacked by Russia.
Minister Pistorius emphasized the urgency of the procurement of ammunition. “Without adequate ammunition, the Bundeswehr can neither be credible nor fight,” said the SPD politician. “Floors of the caliber 155 millimeters play a key role, we saw that in Ukraine.” Several thousands of such grenades would be shot there every day. “The need is immense, so the following applies: we have to deliver from stocks and from newly produced series.” Ukraine must remain cared for and the Bundeswehr and allies replenish its stocks. The Rheinmetall plant in Unterlüß is important for this.
Ammunition as part of the deterrent against Russia
NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte called Rheinmetall “particularly important” for the care of western armies with armaments. In view of the Russian threat, he was satisfied that the Düsseldorf -based company and other armaments companies will raise their production. He was confident that the sheet turns. The western armaments industry is making more and more weapons and ammunition available. “This is crucial for our own security and for the fact that we can continue to support Ukraine.”
Europe’s production capacity for artillery ammunition is six times higher than two years ago. “We expect two million shots [pro Jahr] At the end of the year – Rheinmetall has a large part in this growth. “
Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Klingbeil rated the work as an example of the new performance of Germany’s armaments industry. “I am sure that all of these signals will see Vladimir Putin: we are serious.”
Rheinmetall has been on a steep growth course since the beginning of the Ukraine war, the order books are more full than ever. The demand for military goods of the German weapon smithy is also high in other NATO countries, as the appearance of Romania’s Minister of Economic Affairs Radu-Dinel Miruta illustrated at the celebration in Unterlüß: he stepped onto the stage and signed a contract with Rheinmetall.
Papperger announced that a powder factory will be built up in Romania in the next 18 months. “The Romanian government and Rheinmetall together will invest an order of 550 million euros.” In Bulgaria, a work for powder and artillery bullets is also to be built, the production capacity of which is said to have a third of the volume of Unterlüß.
dpa
Source: Stern
