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Rheinmetall Says New Ammo Plant in Ukraine Could Start Production in Just Over a Year
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
German defense company Rheinmetall expects its ammunition plant in Ukraine to be operational within 12–14 months, provided that all necessary conditions are met.
According to Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, the company is awaiting the completion of civil construction work in Ukraine before moving forward.
“First of all, we need a concept to build everything. The civil part is not ready. I believe the minister will take care of it, and then the ammunition plant should be ready in 12–14 months,” Papperger said in an interview with DW.
He noted that the issue was discussed with Ukraine’s new defense minister, emphasizing that progress needs to accelerate.
The plant is intended to produce 155-mm artillery shells. Initial plans foresaw an annual output of 150,000 units, but Rheinmetall aims to increase production capacity to 300,000 shells per year. However, Papperger cautioned that such expansion depends on financial support from international partners, as Ukraine alone may not have sufficient resources.
The project was first announced in July 2024, when Rheinmetall received an order from the Ukrainian government to establish the facility.
Rheinmetall recently opened a new ammunition factory in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, capable of producing up to 350,000 artillery shells annually.
The site uses a highly automated production system that requires only 40 employees per shift. “This is very new. We produce quickly, and we still have potential to expand capacity,” Papperger explained.
The first 25,000 shells from the German facility will be delivered to Ukraine this year. By 2026, production is expected to reach at least 150,000 shells annually, with a significant share allocated to Ukraine.
“Next year, we will be able to supply a minimum of 100,000, and possibly up to 200,000 to Ukraine. The rest will go to other partners,” Papperger stated.
Earlier, Rheinmetall and the Bulgarian government announced plans to build Europe’s largest gunpowder plant and a new 155mm shell facility, with an annual capacity of 100,000 rounds, potentially strengthening Ukraine’s access to NATO-standard ammunition.
