South African Rheinmetall Unit Receives Record NATO Order for Artillery Shells

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), the South African subsidiary of Rheinmetall, has secured the largest order in its history for 155 mm Assegai artillery shells and propellant charges.

The contract, signed in the second quarter of 2025, is with an undisclosed European NATO member state, according to Rheinmetall’s official website. Deliveries are scheduled to begin this year and continue through the end of 2027.

The Assegai product line includes high-explosive, practice, low-sensitivity, illuminating, infrared-illuminating, smoke, pre-formed fragment (PFF), and extended-range V-LAP shells.

These shells are compatible with artillery systems ranging from 39 to 52 calibers and are designed in accordance with JBMoU principles.

This ensures interoperability with NATO-standard STANAG systems, including the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.

Fired from a 39-caliber barrel, the Assegai shell with a base bleed unit can reach over 30 kilometers. From a 52-caliber barrel, it exceeds 40 kilometers. A 2019 test set a record with a V-LAP shell reaching 76 kilometers.

Rheinmetall, based in Düsseldorf, has been scaling up its artillery shell production since 2022 and aims to reach an annual output of 1.5 million 155 mm shells by 2027.

To meet rising demand for artillery ammunition, Rheinmetall continues to expand its production network and has launched new facilities focused on 155 mm shells and charges.

In South Africa, this expansion led to the establishment of Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd in June. The new company focuses on designing chemical processing plants.

The group’s arms and ammunition division reported significant growth, with record sales of €599 million in the first quarter of 2025 — an increase of €237 million, or 66%, compared to the same period last year.

Militarnyi previously reported that Indian company Reliance Defence and Rheinmetall had entered a strategic partnership in ammunition manufacturing.

Under the agreement, Reliance will supply Rheinmetall with explosives and propellants for medium- and large-caliber munitions.