Rheinmetall wins $81.4 million contract from German Bundeswehr for artillery ammunition

The German Bundeswehr has awarded a major contract for artillery ammunition to the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group. Worth around EUR 63 million ($81.4 million) and set to run until 2014, the order encompasses 30,000 rounds of high explosive 155mm ammunition, type DM 121. Procurement of this new ammunition technology bridges a significant gap for the Bundeswehr, one of Rheinmetall’s most important reference customers. Thanks to special handling features, the DM 121 offers major advantages with regard to operating safety and reliability. Made possible by Rheinmetall’s newly developed Rh26 insensitive explosive, this feature places the new round on the global cutting edge of artillery shell technology. It also makes an important contribution to force protection. Owing to its 30 km-range (with maximum charge load) and ability to penetrate bunkers, this ammunition is suitable for engaging hardened enemy positions at a safe standoff without endangering friendly forces. With a view to current and future operational scenarios, Rheinmetall sees significant market potential for the new ammunition in a number of nations whose artillery forces deploy 155mm 39-/52 cal. artillery systems, especially users of PzH 2000 and M109 self-propelled howitzers and Rheinmetall’s RWG-52 wheeled howitzer. BWB’s decision to source ammunition from Rheinmetall followed a customer product management process with an international market review and test campaign to evaluate competing products. Rheinmetall’s DM 121 HE round proved to be the best choice both technically and economically.