Rheinmetall intends to build a 155 mm ammunition factory in Lithuania to support the country’s security partnership with Germany.
On Tuesday, Maximilian Froch, coordinator for strategic program management at Rheinmetall, signed a memorandum of understanding with Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovations Ausrine Armonaite and Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasciunas to begin the processes related to the factory’s construction, including implementing the necessary preconditions.
Froch said the agreement “lays the foundation for a long-term cooperation.”
With the MOU, the work on the new production site is expected to commence soon to help reduce the country’s reliance on long supply chains of international suppliers, build ammunition stocks and increase the assistance provided to Ukraine.
According to Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, the manufacturing facility, which is part of the country’s investment in the defense industry, will also help prepare for future conflicts similar to the Ukraine-Russia war, noting that Moscow will remain the most significant threat to Europe in the years to come.