Rheinmetall Starts Building $346M Artillery Ammunition Plant in Lithuania: Let’s dive right in, shall we? This news is a big deal, signaling a significant investment in the defense of the Baltic region. It’s certainly a vote of confidence in the region’s security and a tangible step towards bolstering Europe’s defense capabilities. We’re talking about a facility that, once operational in 2026, will be churning out tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells annually. That’s a serious commitment.
Now, you might ask, why Lithuania? Why so close to a potential front line? Well, it’s a valid question, and one that sparks some interesting debate.… Continue reading
Rheinmetall announced a deal for Ukraine to receive Skyranger 35 short-range air-defense systems mounted on Leopard 1 chassis, funded by an EU member state using frozen Russian assets. The agreement, valued in the “hundreds of millions of euros,” will see production and integration handled in Italy. The Skyranger 35 features a 35 mm automatic cannon, with programmable airburst projectiles, and an effective range of approximately 4,000 meters. Equipped with advanced sensors, the system is designed to counter modern aerial threats, and serve as a modern alternative to the aging Flakpanzer Gepard.
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The Ukrainian Air Force has released footage demonstrating the Skynex air defense system’s successful interception of Russian Shahed drones. Developed by Rheinmetall, the Skynex system utilizes 35mm automatic cannons and AHEAD ammunition, designed to neutralize aerial threats, especially low-cost UAVs. The system, deployed for site protection in Ukraine, has shown effective in intercepting at least seven drones in recent operations. The German-made system is integrated into Ukraine’s air defense architecture, and is one of two operational units currently in use worldwide.
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Reliance Defence and Rheinmetall have partnered to establish a large-scale ammunition production facility in India, significantly boosting India’s “Make in India” initiative and defense export goals. The facility will produce artillery shells, explosives, and propellants, supplying both the Indian military and Rheinmetall, strengthening the latter’s supply chain security. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of German-Indian defense ties, driven by geopolitical shifts and a shared desire to diversify defense partnerships away from Russia. The partnership aims to produce up to 200,000 artillery shells annually, along with substantial quantities of explosives and propellants.
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NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber, James Appathurai, confirmed a foiled Russian plot to assassinate Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, highlighting it as one of several attacks targeting European defense leaders. Appathurai detailed Russia’s escalating hybrid warfare campaign against the West, employing methods such as online recruitment of operatives to conduct sabotage and destabilizing actions. This campaign, he stressed, predates the Ukraine war and is integrated into broader Kremlin strategy, encompassing political interference and infrastructure damage. He urged a unified European response and a “wartime mindset” to counter this persistent aggression.
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Following NATO’s announcement of a foiled Russian plot to assassinate him, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger attributed the assassination attempt to Russia’s displeasure with Rheinmetall’s significant contribution of 155 mm artillery shells and other munitions to Ukraine and other Western nations. He noted that Russia, as a major producer of large-caliber ammunition, likely views Rheinmetall’s support for Western defense efforts as detrimental to its own interests. Papperger confirmed that his safety is currently being ensured by police.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker