Rheinmetall secures another major contract for artillery ammunition replenishment
Hungarian soldiers are trained to operate the Pzh2000 self-propelled howitzer. (Photo: Bundeswehr)
Rheinmetall has signed a €1.3 billion ($1.12 billion) framework contract with the German Armed Forces to supply several hundred thousand shells, fuses and propelling charges and signed a €127 million ($142 million) contract for a first call of shells with deliveries expected shortly.
The two deals relate to 155mm shells and are set to run through 2029.
Additionally, an existing framework agreement for DM121 ammunition has been expanded. In addition to the framework contract cited above, this represents an order volume of around €137 million ($153 million).
Related Articles
Europe rallies to replenish ammunition stockpiles as Ukraine war nears anniversary
Rheinmetall chalks up more munitions and air defence contracts
EU to supply Ukraine with one million artillery shells
The volume of the existing framework contract thus increases from €109 million ($122 million) to a total of €246 million ($276 million).
Featuring insensitive characteristics, the DM121 high-explosive shell is used for training and exercise purposes.
These new deals follow an announcement earlier this week of a framework contract with Rheinmetall to provide 120mm tank munition to a value of €4 billion ($4.49 billion).
A first call-off of ammunition worth €309 million ($346 million) came immediately after signing the contract.
The flurry of orders and framework agreements with Rheinmetall comes in the face of massive demands for ammunition and shells from Ukrainian forces as they attempt to combat Russian forces which invaded the country in early 2022.
Ammunition for artillery pieces, specifically 155mm rounds, is in high demand worldwide, driven by partners drawing down the stocks to donate to Kyiv while also looking to increase their stockpiles.
In March, the EU agreed to supply Ukraine with a million shells over 12 months. The €2 billion ($2.24 billion) plan will see half earmarked for the immediate delivery of shells to Ukraine and the other half for joint procurement of further stocks.
It was announced that a commission would be set up to look into ramping up production capacity.
More from Land Warfare
-
Polaris to unveil new MRZR Alpha base vehicle at Modern Day Marine
The new platform was designed to provide 1KW of exportable power as standard and has been developed in partnership with the US Marine Corps (USMC).
-
British Army details Ajax plans
Of the six variants in the Ajax programme – reconnaissance (Ajax), reconnaissance support (Ares), C2 (Athena), equipment repair (Apollo), equipment recovery (Atlas) and engineering reconnaissance (Argus) – the Ajax reconnaissance version is now entering service.
-
CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)
The BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV has been around for decades but continual refreshing to maintain power and relevance, along with a healthy market at home in Sweden and neighbouring countries, has led to more than 1,700 vehicle orders with 10 countries.
-
Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order
The order further extends the Oshkosh Defense production line as AM General, selected for US orders, pushes to get vehicles out the door with no room for export orders.