Rheinmetall, Europe’s largest ammunition manufacturer, plans to open a new ammunition plant in Ukraine, the company announced on X on 17 February.
Rheinmetall and a Ukrainian partner company signed the declaration on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference. The Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshyn, attended the signing ceremony.
The home production of artillery ammunition is vital for Ukraine to defend against Russian aggression, especially given holdups in receiving military aid from the United States.
“Six-digit number of 155 mm caliber… (rounds) to be produced per year, including propelling charges,” Rheinmetall said on X.
Rheinmetall will hold a 51% share in the joint venture, while the Ukrainian firm will have 49%.
“We want to be an effective partner for Ukraine in rebuilding a strong defense industry and ensuring the autonomy of Ukrainian facilities,” Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said.
In October 2023, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced plans for Ukraine and Germany to expand defense-industrial cooperation.
At the end of September 2023, the German Federal Antimonopoly Office allowed the Rheinmetall arms concern to establish a joint venture with Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC (formerly Ukroboronprom), which will be engaged in the maintenance and production of military equipment in Ukraine.
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