KNDS Belgium, Ukraine Ink Agreement to Jointly Source Medium-Caliber Rounds

Ukroboronprom has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with KNDS Belgium SA to jointly procure medium-caliber ammunition.

The ammunition covered under the memorandum is intended for use in automatic weapons targeting personnel, lightly armored vehicles, and low-flying air targets.

KNDS Belgium, part of the broader KNDS Group, is a well-known NATO supplier and producer of multiple ammunition types for both the Belgian military and international clients.

Rheinmetall expands artillery cooperation with Ukraine

The KNDS deal follows another major development for Ukraine’s defense sector. On Tuesday in Madrid, Ukroboronprom finalized a joint venture with Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest arms manufacturer, to produce 155mm artillery shells in Ukraine. Production is expected to begin in 2026.

The agreement builds on existing cooperation between the two sides. In June 2024, the partners opened a repair facility in Ukraine, focused on refurbishing German-origin armored vehicles used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). A limited production run of 155mm shells was initiated in September 2024, with full production capacity projected at 80,000–100,000 shells per year.

Shift in battlefield artillery parity

Ukrainian officials report that international support—especially from Germany, Czechia, and Denmark—has helped improve the artillery balance against Russian forces. Where Ukraine once returned only one shell for every five to ten Russian ones fired, current combat zones in March–April 2025 now see near parity in shell exchanges.