Germany: Rheinmetall Plant Inaugurated for European Rearmament

Rheinmetall, Germany's largest military equipment manufacturer, has inaugurated a new ammunition factory in Unterlüß, Germany. The plant aims to produce 25,000 155mm shells annually, increasing production to 350,000 units by 2027.

This move signals a shift towards the rearmament of Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended the inauguration ceremony, emphasizing the need for faster production processes and component sufficiency.

German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil stated that the factory sends an important message to the people of Ukraine. Rheinmetall is also a major supplier to the Israeli army. Meanwhile, Berlin plans to increase its defense budget to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2029.

Additionally, the government is considering introducing partial mandatory military service due to personnel shortages in the armed forces.