Germany orders Rheinmetall Airburst Munitions
Rheinmetall has been awarded a contract by the German armed forces to supply it with 40mm x 53 Airburst Munitions (ABMs) and accessories, the company announced on 18 February.
The multimillion-euro contract will see Rheinmetall supply several thousand of these cartridges, and is the first time that the German armed forces have procured this ammunition technology.
Rheinmetall’s 40mm x 53 ABM has been qualified for use by the Dutch and German armed forces. Officially dubbed the DM131, the pilot lot ordered by Germany is already being delivered.
Developed by Rheinmetall, 40mm x 53 ABM is designed so that the time of detonation of each airburst round can be electronically programmed through an infrared signal from the fire control/aiming unit once the projectile has left the barrel. The round then explodes at a calculated distance above its target, even when behind cover.
The DM131 can enhance the combat effectiveness of the German armed forces’ 40mm automatic grenade launcher. It can achieve a maximum effective range of 2,200m with the right fire control technology.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action]()
How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action
The news from Ukraine has again shown that antitank minefields and other obstacles on the battlefield, such as deep trenches, can play a key role in both offensive and defensive operations. Given this, there will always be a need to clear them, both during and after a conflict.
-
![British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement]()
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
-
![DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return]()
DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after operator health issues were reported during an exercise, but manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems UK believes work over the past 10 months has dealt with the problems.
-
![Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions]()
Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
-
![MAAF to test Britain’s shift from armour to distributed lethality in Estonia]()
MAAF to test Britain’s shift from armour to distributed lethality in Estonia
The bilateral agreement between the UK and Estonia comes as both countries explore how dispersed troops, drones, digital targeting, anti-tank weapons and increasingly long-range fires can complement the combat mass traditionally provided by heavy armour.
-
![Polaris expands Arctic mobility offering as US military orders grow]()
Polaris expands Arctic mobility offering as US military orders grow
The Military 850 Voyageur 155 Crossover has secured orders from the US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, addressing demand for agile Arctic mobility with passenger, cargo and towing capacity.
