Germany intends to start massive artillery shell production for Ukraine

Germany plans to produce up to 250,000 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine, which is a quarter of the total amount of ammunition the EU countries intend to provide, German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported on April 28. 

According to the article, the proposal was made during a meeting of directors of armament companies earlier this week, reports The New Voice of Ukraine.

Germany’s defense industry giant Rheinmetall would be making the contribution. A company representative stated that the current production capacity of Rheinmetall is 450,000 artillery shells per year, with 350,000 of them made in Europe.

In the future, Rheinmetall expects to significantly increase the production of artillery ammunition, up to about 600,000 shells per year.

As part of the compromise reached between EU member states, the final assembly of shells must be carried out in the EU to partially compensate for the cost. The components, however, can be supplied from third countries.

In this plan, Rheinmetall may provide about 50,000 shell casings that the company produces in Australia, and explosive cartridges from its South African factory, but not 100,000 grenades that are also manufactured made.

On March 4, media reports said Rheinmetall is negotiating with Kyiv regarding the construction of a tank factory somewhere in Ukraine.