The German defence giant Rheinmetall is planning to launch production of 155 mm artillery ammunition in Lithuania in mid-2026.
Rheinmetall’s new plant will be located in Baisogala, a town in Lithuania’s Radviliškis District.
“The plant will be operational from mid-2026 and, once completed, will be able to produce tens of thousands of 155 mm artillery shells per year,” Rheinmetall said on Friday.
Representatives of the Lithuanian government and Rheinmetall signed a lease for a plot of land for the future plant in Radviliškis District and a contract for the purchase of 155 mm ammunition in Vilnius on Friday.
Acting Economy Minister Aušrinė Armonaitė says Lithuania and Rheinmetall will participate in the project together.
“As we still have some processes that need finalising, which are confidential, we will announce it a little later, but very soon we will unveil exactly what the joint venture will look like. But basically, it will be a joint project involving Lithuania and Rheinmetall,” Armonaitė said after the signing of the contracts.
Acting Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas says Lithuania will purchase 155 mm ammunition from the Lithuanian plant as it is suitable for the German PzH 2000 and French Caesar self-propelled howitzers used by the Lithuanian armed forces.
“The integration of ammunition into these systems will be resolved,” he said.
According to Kasčiūnas, the quantity of ammunition to be purchased “is calculated based on Lithuania’s interests” and the price “corresponds to the market price”.
Acting Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė says the Rheinmetall project’s practical implementation in Lithuania will begin after the signing of the contracts.
“I do believe that under the existing circumstances, in the existing geopolitical reality, and with the existing opportunities, the construction business and other businesses for important projects to be up and running in a very short period of time, I have no doubt that with the increase in the demand for ammunition in Europe, in NATO, this project will be implemented at the proper pace,” she said.
Rheinmetall plans to invest more than 180 million euros into the 155 mm artillery ammunition plant in Lithuania and create at least 150 new jobs.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
