Rheinmetall president says Europe should be attached to Russian ammunition

RheinmetallThe newly opened factory in northern Germany-which is scheduled to become the largest ammunition production facility in Europe-is another step in the region’s race to catch Russian production, according to the CEO of the company.

CEO Armin Babberger told CNBC on Wednesday that Russia has the ability to put 4 to 5 million artillery ammunition rounds. In comparison, he said that Europe has an annual production of about 2 million, more than half of it is produced by Rheinmetall.

The European Union supports Ukraine in its military effort to combat the invasion of Russia, amid uncertainty over the United States’s long -term plans to support Kiev.

Babbarger said that artillery ammunition and Europe are ammunition and artillery missiles, “stressing that the new factory in UNTERUSS will focus on both elements. The factory production is expected to reach 350,000 artillery shells annually by 2027.

“We are doing our utmost, and we do everything we can do to be fast. I had a conversation before with (German Defense Secretary Boris) Pistorius on this, in a hurry. We have to do more.”

Along with the other European countries and NATO membersGermany pledged to intensify defensive spending and expand its army in the next decade – in the Berlin case, which enabled it Reforms earlier this year of their debt rules. She specifically adhered to more than twice her defensive spending to 153 billion euros ($ 178 billion) by 2029. Some analysts say Germany. More financial spaces To deliver these promises instead of governments in France, Italy and the United Kingdom

Babberger told CNBC that he is expected to come new contracts during the fourth quarter this year, and throughout the first quarter of 2026, and that it has received payments from the government that enables it to make new investments.

“The German government is very fair to us,” he said.

Speaking at the opening of the factory on Wednesday, NATO Secretary -General Mark Retti said that the factory was established by Rheinmetall in a “amazing” timetable of 14 months.

“This is exactly what we need to ensure the prosperity and security of our economies and our societies throughout Europe and North America, especially while we are facing a strong challenge,” said Root.

The head of NATO added that Russia and China “produce heavy weapons and military equipment at an incredible rate” and “small transparency”.

“Now we need to see similar efforts to increase the production of more sophisticated capabilities, such as tanks, air defense systems and missiles,” said Root.