Rheinmetall has received another order from the Spanish government in the higher double-digit million euro range. The Group is to supply the Spanish army with a total of 104,000 mortar rounds in 60mm, 81mm and 120mm calibres by the end of 2025. The framework agreement concluded in the first quarter of 2024 is already the second and includes an extension option for two additional years.

The mortar rounds ordered will be used by the Spanish army’s infantry units, among others, in high explosive, smoke and illumination ammunition variants. Depending on the calibre and mortar system used, they have different ranges of between 2.59 km (60mm) and 8.25 km (120mm).
Rheinmetall mortar ammunition offers increased range, enhanced precision and optimised effectiveness on target, enabling forces to effectively engage targets in difficult terrain or in urban environments.

The current order from the Spanish government underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role as a systems supplier in the field of steep-fire systems. Rheinmetall, one of the world’s largest ammunition manufacturers, was recently awarded a contract to supply the Spanish army with 155mm artillery ammunition worth over €200 million.

The Spanish government has commissioned Rheinmetall, the world’s largest manufacturer of artillery ammunition, to supply a total of 94,200 155mm rounds. The framework agreement concluded for this purpose has a volume of around €208 million. The artillery rounds are to be delivered to the Spanish army between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025, with a two-year extension option.

The ammunition now ordered is already being used by the Spanish customer; this is the second framework agreement. The new order emphasises Rheinmetall’s reliability as a partner to the Spanish army for the supply of key products.
The ER02A1 high-explosive (HE) projectiles have a maximum range of 30 kilometres in the boat-tail (BT) variant and almost 40 kilometres in the base-bleed (BB) variant. The latter has a special device at the base of the projectile. This heats the air generated by the projectile itself in its trajectory, thus reducing drag and increasing the maximum range.

The latest contracts in the field of 155mm artillery ammunition underline Rheinmetall’s leading technological position in European ammunition development and production. Framework agreements with various NATO member states secure the supply of artillery ammunition.

It was only on 12 February 2024 that the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony for a new plant was held in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The plant will produce explosives and components for rocket artillery as well as artillery ammunition in particular. On 18 February 2024, Rheinmetall and a Ukrainian partner company signed a memorandum of understanding that will also enable the production of artillery ammunition in Ukraine in the future.

Rheinmetall has won an order to supply a European member of NATO with multiple rocket launcher ammunition. Delivery is to take place from 2024 to 2027. The order, which was already booked in December 2023, represents sales volume for Rheinmetall of more than €300 million, without value added tax.

Rheinmetall Expal Munitions of Spain is responsible for manufacturing and delivering the rockets, which have a maximum range of 300 km. The order also encompasses additional services and other systems.

This is Rheinmetall’s first sales success in rocket artillery, vindicating the recent strategic expansion of its product portfolio. Just the other day, on 12 February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wielded a shovel at the ground-breaking ceremony took place at Unterlüß in Lower Saxony for a new factory that will produce explosives, artillery ammunition and rocket artillery components.

In artillery systems, 120mm smoothbore tank ammunition, cannon-based air defence and the production of medium-calibre ammunition, Rheinmetall is a leading global supplier. Ever since its foundation over 125 years ago, the company has been a reliable partner of the artillery branch, supplying seamless barrels for big guns. In the ammunition domain, today Rheinmetall supplies a comprehensive array of ammunition types in various calibres.

The latest orders for artillery rockets and 155mm artillery ammunition underscore Rheinmetall’s technological edge in ammunition development and production in Europe. Framework contracts for artillery ammunition help to make sure that the needs of the armed forces of Germany and other NATO nations are reliably met. They enable better planning of production processes and optimum exploitation of existing capacity.