Rheinmetall Supplies Ukraine with "Gepard" Ammunition

The German defense company Rheinmetall recently completed the first delivery of ammunition for the anti-aircraft tank "Gepard" to Ukraine. Amid ongoing conflicts and high demand for ammunition, Ukraine urgently needed this delivery. A total of 40,000 rounds of ammunition are to be provided by the end of the year. The German government is financing these deliveries, having already provided Ukraine with 46 "Gepard" tanks.

The production of the ammunition posed a particular challenge for Rheinmetall. Previously, the ammunition was manufactured in Switzerland, but due to the country's neutrality policy, production had to be relocated to Germany. The company had to partially redevelop manufacturing techniques, as the original tools were no longer available. Production now takes place at Rheinmetall's plant in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony.

The "Gepard" ammunition is specifically designed to combat a wide range of targets. It consists of two main types: incendiary explosive ammunition for shooting down drones, helicopters, and aircraft, as well as sub-caliber ammunition with heavy metal darts for use against armored vehicles. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke positively about the quick and efficient implementation of production and emphasized Germany's continued support for Ukraine, particularly in the areas of artillery, ammunition, and ground-based air defense.

In another line of business, Rheinmetall plans to expand its aviation technology division by manufacturing fuselage center sections for the American F35 fighter jet. A new factory in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia, is expected to create up to 450 jobs. The company will also collaborate with Lufthansa's technology division, which aims to increasingly engage in the defense business.