Active Conflicts & News Megathread August 27, 2025

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[u/Gecktron]

In ammunition production news:

ESUT: Rheinmetall builds ammunition plants in Bulgaria

At a meeting between former Bulgarian Prime Minister and leader of the ruling GERB party Boyko Borisov and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger in Düsseldorf on 26 August, the two sides agreed to build two ammunition factories in Bulgaria. Borisov announced this on Facebook. One factory will be used to manufacture powder and cartridges, while the other will produce artillery ammunition.

The powder factory is intended to strengthen Bulgaria's independence in ammunition production in order to create a stable pillar within NATO. The other factory is expected to produce at least 100,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition per year, according to the announcement.

If all goes according to plan, the new factories in Bulgaria can be expected to start production within two years.

Rheinmetall and Bulgaria want to build a powder and an ammunition plant to further boost the countries ammunition production. The new 155mm ammunition plant is set to start production within 2 years, and produce up to 100.000 rounds annually. So far, Bulgaria has provided a considerable amount of soviet calibre rounds. The 155mm plant will also help providing ammunition for NATO calibres.

The powder plant also joins the other massive powder plant in the region currently under construction in Romania.

What is interesting are the finishing remarks by the two representatives:

‘This is just the beginning,’ said Papperger, hinting at further joint projects. ‘We have more projects in the pipeline,’ confirmed Borissov. More information will be provided at a later date.

Bulgaria already ordered IRIS-T SLM, which Rheinmetall isnt involved with. With powder and ammunition also already covered, the only things left to cooperate are either SKYNEX and vehicles. With Bulgaria still using T-72s and BMPs, there might be a potential for KF41 Lynx and KF51 Panther.

[u/ChornWork2 → u/Gecktron]

I'm surprised that building a facility for 100k rounds/yr capacity is an efficient scale. Or is this adding 155mm production line to an existing munitions plant?

[u/Gecktron → u/ChornWork2]

100.000 rounds is the initial production capacity apparently.