Rheinmetall Commissions Modern Medium-Calibre Ammunition Production Facility

Albacete Rheinmetall Commissions Modern Medium-Calibre Ammunition Production Facility

2026-10-21 Source: Press release Rheinmetall AG | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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Rheinmetall is expanding its ammunition manufacturing capacity with a new medium-calibre production facility at its Albacete site in Spain. The investment of approximately €20 million will increase production capacity, create new jobs and expand the site’s established mortar systems manufacturing capabilities as part of the company’s “Firepower” project.

Rheinmetall, one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the Western world, is advancing its “Firepower” project and continuing to significantly expand its production capacities. In October 2026, its subsidiary Rheinmetall Expal Munitions is commissioning a new, state-of-the-art medium-calibre production facility at its site in Albacete, Spain. The expansion ceremony was attended by Spanish Secretary of State for Defence Amparo Valcarce, German Ambassador Heiko Thoms, Albacete Mayor Manuel Serrano López and Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG.

The Albacete site is expected to increase its workforce by almost one-third, from approximately 210 employees to around 300. Next-generation production equipment, featuring a high degree of automation, will enable key components for medium-calibre ammunition to be manufactured more quickly and in greater quantities. Production capacity for mortar weapons and systems, the site’s traditional core competence, will also be significantly expanded.

Rheinmetall has invested approximately €20 million (approx. 22 million USD) in expanding production capacity at Albacete. One building has been modernised and extended to accommodate the new medium-calibre production line. A new technical building infrastructure, machinery and manufacturing capabilities have been installed across an area of approximately 5,700 square metres (approx. 61,354 square feet). In addition, a new building with 5,200 square metres (approx. 55,972 square feet) of usable floor space was constructed in less than a year to expand mortar systems production. Aircraft maintenance will also be possible in this new facility.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said: “Albacete is one of our important centres of expertise in ammunition component and weapons system manufacturing. It makes sense to leverage the expertise of our colleagues here for our ‘Firepower’ project. We are introducing a new capability at this site to significantly increase medium-calibre production. At the same time, we are strengthening the plant’s existing core competence: the manufacture of mortar systems. Albacete will therefore be of strategic importance not only to Rheinmetall, but also to Spain and Europe, contributing to credible defence capabilities.”

Spanish Secretary of State for Defence Amparo Valcarce stated: “Credible deterrence requires armed forces that are well prepared, appropriately equipped and capable of sustaining their operations over an extended period. A strong defence industry is therefore indispensable, because the best way to preserve peace is to be prepared to defend it.”

In the medium-calibre components segment, Albacete will cover calibres from 20 mm to 35 mm (approx. 0.8 to 1.4 inches). Annual production capacity is expected to reach approximately 1.2 million projectiles and around 1.8 million cartridge cases. These components will undergo further processing at other sites within the Rheinmetall network, including the plant in Burgos, to produce various types of ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft gun systems. These include programmable ammunition, armour-piercing fin-stabilised projectiles and AHEAD ammunition for countering aircraft and drones.

For mortar systems, future annual production capacity is expected to reach 40 Dual Eimos mortar systems in 81 mm (approx. 3.2 inches) calibre. The site will also be capable of manufacturing more than 650 mortars per year in 60 mm (approx. 2.4 inches), 81 mm (approx. 3.2 inches) and 120 mm (approx. 4.2 inches) calibres.

The Albacete site will work with other Rheinmetall locations across Spain, Germany and Switzerland to meet the requirements of NATO partners and other allies. A local supplier network will also create opportunities for companies throughout the region.

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About the Rheinmetall plant in Albacete

Rheinmetall Expal Munitions’ plant in Albacete has established itself as a centre of expertise for ammunition component production and the manufacture of various mortar types in 60 mm, 81 mm and 120 mm calibres, as well as complete mortar systems. Its particular focus includes the production of EIMOS 81 models and the forthcoming series production of the EIMOS 120. Thanks to its high degree of specialisation, the expertise of its teams and its ongoing commitment to improving industrial processes, the plant ranks among the Group’s leading production sites.

The plant also uses advanced manufacturing technologies to produce a broad range of medium-calibre projectiles and cartridge cases, from 20 mm to 35 mm, efficiently while maintaining high standards of quality, reliability and competitiveness to meet the requirements of its customers and markets.

Background: Rheinmetall’s “Firepower” project and further capacity expansion

Through its “Firepower” project, Rheinmetall is responding to urgent demand for ammunition across the Western world. The technology company aims to achieve annual production capacities by 2030 at the latest of 1.5 million rounds of 155 mm (approx. 6 inches) artillery ammunition, 240,000 rounds of 120 mm (approx. 4.7 inches) tank ammunition and 4 million rounds of medium-calibre ammunition.

Rheinmetall is investing heavily in its manufacturing operations, both by building new ammunition plants, such as those in Unterlüß, Germany, and Baisogala, Lithuania, and by further expanding existing facilities, as it is now doing in Albacete and recently did in Aschau am Inn, Germany.