Rheinmetall’s ammunition plant in Ukraine will start operating in 2026.

This was announced by Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.

He noted that the launch of the plant was delayed, but it is expected to start operating in 2026.

In addition, he emphasizes that the company aims to build three plants in Ukraine, which, regardless of whether the war in Ukraine continues or is completed at the construction stage, will be operational in the future.

Papperger also says that the construction of new plants in Germany is now much faster, as most of the bureaucratic obstacles have been eliminated, unlike in Ukraine.

“For example, we received permits for the F-35 component plant and Europe’s largest ammunition plant in Lower Saxony within just a few weeks. In Ukraine, the process is still slower,” stated Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.

He also noted that cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industry of Ukraine was developing quite well, in addition to the President’s direct support for the company’s activities in Ukraine.

In July 2024, it was reported that the German defense concern Rheinmetall had received an order from the Ukrainian government to build an ammunition plant.

The order covers the full technical equipment of the plant prior to commissioning.

The plant itself will have a controlling stake in Rheinmetall, as confirmed by Papperge.

“We decided to create a company with a 51% stake in Rheinmetall, which was not possible in Ukraine before as state-owned enterprises had to own a controlling stake. But I said I would invest only if we had a controlling stake,” he noted.

The cost of the plant will vary “in the range of three-digit million euros”. According to initial plans, the company intended to start producing ammunition in Ukraine within 24 months.