VMZ displayed a 155 mm artillery shell at HEMUS 2024. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)
Rheinmetall announced in a press release on 28 October that it and Bulgarian company Vazovski Mashinostroitelni Zavodi (VMZ) signed an agreement to establish a joint venture to produce artillery ammunition and energetics in Bulgaria, earlier the same day. The German company said it holds a 51% share in the joint venture and VMZ 49%.
Approximately EUR1 billion (nearly USD1.2 billion) will be invested in the joint venture. The 100 ha production facility will be located in the Sopot region of Bulgaria, with a planned annual production capacity of around 100,000 shells, propellant charges for up to 150,000 shells, and approximately 1,300 tonnes of propellant powder. A Rheinmetall spokesperson told Janes on 31 October that the joint venture would produce 155 mm artillery ammunition.
Production of shell casings is planned to begin in 2027, with that of energetics starting in 2028.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said, “With the new production facility, we are further expanding our leading role as a manufacturer of artillery ammunition to continue supporting the defence capabilities of the European Union and NATO.”
For more information, please seeFeature: European countries ramp up production of artillery shells
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