Rheinmetall plans to reach 700,000 artillery shells by 2025
German defence company Rheinmetall is ramping up production of artillery ammunition and wants to produce around 700,000 shells by 2025.
This was stated by the head of Rheinmetall Armin Papperger, Censor.NET reports citing Handelsblatt.
According to him, Rheinmetall is expanding its production capacity for artillery shells on a large scale.
"We are in the process of doubling or even tripling our gunpowder production capacity in certain locations, such as those required for propellant charges for artillery shells," the CEO said.
By next year, Rheinmetall will be able to produce enough to supply Europe.
According to Papperger, the group wants to produce up to 700,000 artillery shells a year by 2025.
In addition to the plants in Spain and Hungary, Rheinmetall's Unterluss plant in Lower Saxony will be the core of the expansion.
Assistance to Ukraine
Papperger planned to launch the production expansion on Monday with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The chancellor has previously lobbied for new aid to Ukraine in the United States.
Support for Ukraine there is at risk of weakening due to internal political conflicts between Democrats and Republicans. According to Papperger, this could become a serious problem for Europe's security.
"We and Ukraine need the Americans, who have large reserves," added the Rheinmetall CEO.
