The German defense company Rheinmetall is converting one of its automotive component factories in Berlin into a production facility for 155-millimeter artillery shell casings. The plant, located in the Wedding district, was previously operated by the automotive subsidiary Pierburg and mainly focused on producing engine pumps and valve systems for vehicles. As part of the restructuring plan, the factory will transition from automotive manufacturing to producing steel projectile bodies used in artillery ammunition. More than 200 employees from the site have already been reassigned to the company’s Waffe Munition division during the transition process. At the facility, steel billets will be shaped into artillery shell casings before being transported by rail to other Rheinmetall locations for explosive filling and final assembly. Representatives from the labor union IG Metall indicated that the conversion may help preserve employment as the automotive sector faces declining demand and economic uncertainty across Europe. The move also reflects a broader expansion of Rheinmetall’s ammunition production network following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which significantly increased demand for artillery rounds across Europe and NATO countries. Rheinmetall plans to expand its production capacity to approximately 1.1 million 155-millimeter shells annually by 2027. Prior to the conflict, the company produced around 100,000 shells each year. The firm’s primary manufacturing hub remains its facility in Unterlüß in Lower Saxony, where a new complex called Werk Niedersachsen is expected to produce up to 350,000 shells annually. Additional production capacity will come from Rheinmetall’s Spanish subsidiary Expal, which is expected to contribute roughly 300,000 rounds each year. Meanwhile, the company is continuing to expand its manufacturing footprint internationally. A new ammunition plant is scheduled to open in Hungary, while another production facility is currently under development in Lithuania. These projects are intended to strengthen the company’s supply chain and support the growing demand for artillery ammunition in Europe and allied defense markets.
