Rheinmetall builds new German ammunition plants to ensure supplies

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is building new ammunition plants in the country with the aim of providing independent supplies for the Bundeswehr armed forces, potentially creating more flexibility when it comes to arms deliveries for Ukraine, reported dpa.

The facilities for medium-calibre ammunition should be ready in January, the company confirmed upon request.

The move comes amid a row between Berlin and Bern over a Swiss veto against the delivery of certain anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine.

Germany is dependant on other countries for the delivery of certain equipment, for example Swiss-made ammunition for Germany's Gepard anti-aircraft tank, but Switzerland blocked the delivery to Kiev of Gepard ammunition for the second time in November, referring to its own neutrality "in the Russia-Ukraine relationship."

Rheinmetall also pointed to a considerable backlog of demand for ammunition in Germany and gaps created by the arm support for Ukraine, saying they had to be filled in accordance with NATO requirements.

At the centre of the new requirements stood the aim of re-establishing German ammunition supplies "in principle independent of foreign production facilities," a spokesperson for the arms manufacturer told dpa.

Rheinmetall therefore decided to build a new production facility in Germany for 20-35mm calibres, according to the spokesperson. Production is scheduled to start in June 2023.

The company would then be in a position to deliver a first batch of Gepard ammunition in July, the spokesperson said.

This is understood to involve up to 300,000 rounds for Ukraine if the German government places a corresponding order now.

Berlin has supplied Ukraine with several Gepard anti-aircraft tanks for defence against Russian attacks, but initially could only supply little ammunition.

The tanks, which were decommissioned by the Bundeswehr, are equipped with a twin 35mm-gun made by Swiss arms manufacturer Oerlikon, which now also belongs to Rheinmetall.