Bundeswehr contracts Rheinmetall for mortar modernisation
Rheinmetall offers a complete range of 120mm, 81mm and 60mm ammunition families. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
The German Bundeswehr has selected Rheinmetall for ammunition delivery and modernisation programme.
Rheinmetall has received a contract valued from the German Bundeswehr to supply 120mm mortar ammunition and modernise its mortar systems.
The modernisation is set to be completed by 2023 and the contract is valued at around €27 million.
As part of the modernisation process, Rheinmetall is upgrading the 120mm mortars to fire new generation (NG) mortar rounds, which involves adding obturation rings to the tubes.
As part of this order, Rheinmetall has already delivered DM75 NG multispectral mortar rounds and DM56 NG infrared illumination mortar rounds to the Bundeswehr in 2021.
Although the type of system undergoing modernisation has not been specified, Rheinmetall currently produces the Weisel 2 120mm mortar, the 120mm Ragnarök mortar weapon system and the innovative RSG60 60mm mortar.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Wiesel 2 120mm mortar system is based on Rheinmetall’s tracked Wiesel 2 airborne armoured vehicle and is in service with the German Army’s rapid reaction forces.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Early prototype of General Dynamics M1E3 main battle tank displayed at Detroit auto show]()
Early prototype of General Dynamics M1E3 main battle tank displayed at Detroit auto show
The first prototype M1E3 main battle tank was handed over to the US Army for testing and evaluation earlier this year, and now a pre-prototype has been unveiled. What have we learned from the vehicle first seen on 14 January?
-
![Bulgaria to receive first Strykers in February as part of force equipment refresh]()
Bulgaria to receive first Strykers in February as part of force equipment refresh
The delivery of the Stryker infantry fighting vehicles will form one piece of the country’s effort to re-equip its forces, which includes F-16 fighter jets and new air defence systems.
-
![Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx fighting vehicles set for first taste of combat in Ukraine]()
Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx fighting vehicles set for first taste of combat in Ukraine
A June 2024 agreement with Ukraine for Rheinmetall to provide 10 KF41s along with the establishment of a manufacturing facility in the country has moved a step closer, with the factory now built and a contract signed.
-
![Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows]()
Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows
Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030.
-
![Sweden’s recent air defence spend tips to $6 billion with 2026 procurement planned]()
Sweden’s recent air defence spend tips to $6 billion with 2026 procurement planned
Procurement of various short-range systems will begin in the first quarter of 2026, with additional procurements to be made later in the year.
