Rheinmetall Opens Largest Ammunition Plant in Germany

German company Rheinmetall has inaugurated the largest ammunition production plant in Europe in Unterlüß, near Hanover. This move comes amid heightened discussions about the security of Ukraine and significant German investments in its armed forces.

The opening ceremony was attended by the company's CEO, Armin Papperger, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The plant, construction of which began in 2024, aims to produce 350,000 155mm shells annually by 2027. The investment amounts to 500 million euros and is expected to create over 500 jobs. Furthermore, production of artillery rockets will commence from 2026.

Rheinmetall is expanding its footprint in Europe with new units in Spain, Hungary, and Lithuania, while also planning a factory in Ukraine. Papperger mentioned bureaucratic delays.

Rheinmetall's weapons and ammunition division recorded revenues of 724 million euros in the first half of 2025. It also recently opened a factory in Weeze for the production of F-35 aircraft parts.