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Rheinmetall expands powder capacity, cites Chinese controls
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2026-07-25 18:42 UTC → 2026-07-27 05:08 UTC ·
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Rheinmetall expands missile and propellant capacity powder capacity, cites Chinese controls
In early July 2026 Rheinmetall and Rheinmetall, together with Lockheed Martin launched Martin, opened a joint European centre for ATACMS missile components at Unterlüß, targeting production in component centre, aiming for 2027 production to reinforce strengthen NATO supply lines. Two weeks later Rheinmetall The firm then unveiled a €650 million programme to double propellant output at its Aschau am Inn plant and to upgrade powder facilities in Switzerland and Spain, aiming for 4,200 tonnes of propellant and over one million charges annually. On 22 July 2026 the company announced a €500 million “Project Firepower” investment to build a new propellant factory at Aschau, Aschau am Inn, with production a further €300 million earmarked for modernising powder sites in Switzerland and Spain. The new Aschau plant is slated to begin start production in 2027 and annual output to reach 4,200 tonnes of explosive powder annually by 2028, more than doubling current capacity and creating about 1,300 roughly 1,300‑1,400 jobs. An additional €300 million will modernise existing powder sites in Wimmis (Switzerland), Murcia and Burgos (Spain). German and Bavarian officials attended the groundbreaking, underscoring European self‑sufficiency amid Ukraine‑war ammunition shortages. A follow‑up announcement on 25 later July reiterated the expansion, stressing that announcement detailed a €350 million outlay within the increased powder production is needed €650 million programme, increasing staff from about 800 to close 1,400 and securing a long‑standing shortage previously mitigated by Chinese nitrocellulose supplies. government contract for a laser‑weapon system to protect naval vessels from drones, valued in the mid‑three‑digit‑million‑euro range. Rheinmetall is building four‑year noted that China has placed the company on an export‑control list, but it claims powder reserves cover four years and researching it is developing wood‑based nitrocellulose alternatives, while the upgraded alternatives to lessen reliance on Chinese cotton‑linters. The expanded capacity will support re‑armament of European forces using drones, small‑calibre weapons is intended to curb ammunition shortages highlighted during the Ukraine war and tanks. to underpin Europe’s broader re‑armament effort.
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- 2026-07-27 05:08 UTC Rheinmetall expands powder capacity, cites Chinese controls
- 2026-07-25 18:42 UTC Rheinmetall expands missile and propellant capacity
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