The Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall has received from the German Armed Forces a framework contract for the supply of 155-millimeter artillery ammunition worth up to 8.5 billion euros. The contract was signed on June 20 by Annette Lehnigk-Emden, President of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), and representatives of Rheinmetall in Koblenz at the office’s headquarters. This is the largest order in Rheinmetall’s company history.
An existing framework agreement was expanded considerably. The main purpose of the order is to replenish the stocks held by the Bundeswehr and its allies, as well as to support Ukraine in its defensive campaign against Russia (-> Current news from the Ukraine war). Deliveries are scheduled to begin at the start of next year, with the Federal Republic of Germany as the main customer, which will make some of the supplies available to Ukraine. The partner countries of the Netherlands, Estonia and Denmark will also participate in the order. https://militaeraktuell.at/rimpac-weltgroesstes-maritimes-manoever-gestartet/ At the same time, an initial call-off from the framework agreement was contracted to ensure the capacity utilization of the new plant being built in Germany at the Unterlüß site (-> Rheinmetall builds new ammunition plant) during the ramp-up phase. This order also includes 155 millimeter calibre projectiles in various designs with an order value of around 880 million euros. Here, too, deliveries are scheduled to begin as early as 2025. The company expects further increased call-offs in the coming years. “We are delighted to have received the largest order in our company’s recent history. We are grateful for the great trust that is expressed in this long-term order as part of the security provision of the Federal Republic of Germany and its allies,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. He added: “The German government is keeping its word. This framework agreement ensures the necessary capacity utilization of the new plant that we are building at our Unterlüß site in Lower Saxony to supply our armed forces with ammunition. The Federal Chancellor assured us of this during his visit on the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony on February 12.”
Rheinmetall will produce the entire value chain for artillery ammunition in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, in order to be able to offer the “full shot” from a single source: the projectile, the fuse, the explosive charge and the propellant charge that propels the projectile out of the barrel when fired. An annual capacity of 100,000 projectiles will be achieved on site from the second year of production, with the capacity later increasing to 200,000 projectiles per year.
Here for further reports on Rheinmetall.
