'Turning point': German weapons firm opens Europe's largest munitions plant

Posted: 7th September 2025

FRANCE24 – AUGUST 28, 2025 – ‘Turning point’: German weapons firm opens Europe’s largest munitions plant

German arms maker Rheinmetall opened Europe’s largest munitions plant in northern Germany on Wednesday, a move NATO chief Mark Rutte hailed as key to bolstering Western defenses. The facility, spanning 30,000 square metres, aims to produce 350,000 artillery shells annually by 2027.

“This is absolutely crucial for our own security and also to keep supporting Ukraine in its fight today and to deter any aggression in the future,” Rutte said at an opening ceremony.

“We are being challenged” by China and Russia, he said, but added that Europe and the United States together are on course to “turn the tide on defence production”. …