The German Ministry of Defence intends to buy more artillery ammunition than it has planned to date from Rheinmetall. 

The already concluded framework contract with Rheinmetall worth 880 million euros is to be extended for the purchase of at least another 200.000 155 mm artillery shells, Der Spiegel magazine reports, citing a letter from the German Ministry of Defence to the budget committee of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag).

In fact, these munitions are primarily intended for Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The order will be designed to ensure that the ammunition will be produced in Germany itself. Rheinmetall is currently building a new plant in Unterluss in the state of Lower Saxony.

With the new order from Rheinmetall, the Ministry of Defence seeks to cover the shortage of ammunition in the arsenal of the Federal Army (Bundeswehr). 

The new plant in Unterluss will make Germany more independent from global supply chains. In addition, domestic production will exempt Germany from any foreign regulations. 

The issue here is mainly about the possibility of new arms supplies to Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russian aggression. Supporters of Ukraine have been trying desperately in recent months to find ammunition for Ukraine. Foreign partners often refuse to sell 155mm missiles because they cannot supply them to a country at war for legal or political reasons.

Also read: Rheinmetall | Over €130 million in EU funds to increase production in artillery ammunition