German arms manufacturer to build own plant after Switzerland's refusal to supply Kyiv

The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is building new ammunition plants in the country with the aim of providing independent supplies for the Bundeswehr armed forces, potentially creating more flexibility when it comes to arms deliveries for Ukraine.

As the German state DPA agency reported, this move comes amid a Swiss veto against the delivery of certain anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine.

Rheinmetall, therefore, decided to build a new production facility in Germany for 20-35mm calibres, according to a company spokesperson.  With production scheduled to start in June 2023, the company would then be in a position to deliver the first batch of Gepard ammunition in July. 

Germany is dependent on other countries for the delivery of certain equipment, for example Swiss-made ammunition for Germany's Gepard anti-aircraft tank which has been supplied to Ukraine. Switzerland has blocked the delivery to Kyiv of Gepard ammunition for the second time in November, referring to its own neutrality "in the Russia-Ukraine relationship."

Rheinmetall also pointed to a considerable backlog of demand for ammunition in Germany and gaps created by the arm support for Ukraine, saying they had to be filled in accordance with NATO requirements.