Germany’s defense industry has significantly expanded its ammunition output, with the head of Rheinmetall stating that the country is now producing more ammunition than the United States. The development comes amid a broader European effort to rebuild military capabilities and reduce long-standing reliance on U.S. defense support.
According to Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger, the company has increased its annual production of medium-caliber ammunition more than fourfold. Output of artillery rounds has also surged to approximately 1.1 million units, compared to just 70,000 previously. Medium-caliber rounds, which are larger than standard machine gun ammunition but smaller than artillery shells such as those fired by howitzers, are commonly used in autocannons mounted on armored vehicles, including systems comparable to the U.S. Army’s Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
The production increase reflects a wider shift across Europe as governments accelerate military investment. European nations have moved to replenish stockpiles following pressure from Donald Trump, who warned NATO members to increase defense spending and reduce dependence on U.S. military support. For decades, Europe relied heavily on American defense infrastructure and capabilities stationed across the continent.
At the same time, U.S. strategic priorities have shifted toward the Indo-Pacific region and concerns surrounding China’s military growth. Washington has also reduced certain forms of military support for Ukraine while managing ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including a prolonged confrontation involving Iran. These developments have reinforced European concerns about long-term security commitments.
Even before these geopolitical pressures intensified, European governments had begun outlining plans to expand their own defense capabilities. Questions over whether the U.S. would respond decisively to potential Russian aggression have contributed to increased urgency, particularly as European countries have transferred significant quantities of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine over the past several years.
In June 2025, members of NATO agreed to a new defense spending benchmark, committing to allocate 5 percent of gross domestic product annually to military and related infrastructure within the next decade. This marked a substantial increase from the alliance’s previous 2 percent target, which several countries had struggled to meet. The shift represents one of the most significant increases in European military spending in decades.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicated that global military expenditure rose by nearly 3 percent compared to the previous year, driven largely by a 14 percent increase in European defense budgets.
German leadership has played a central role in this transformation. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the need for Europe to become less dependent on the United States, marking a departure from Germany’s long-standing reluctance to expand military investment following World War II. Since taking office, Merz has overseen a substantial push to strengthen Germany’s defense posture.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently stated that Germany aims to build “the strongest conventional army in Europe” by 2039, underscoring the long-term scope of the country’s military ambitions.
The surge in ammunition production is closely tied to operational demand. Artillery rounds, particularly 155 mm ammunition widely used by NATO forces, have been consumed at high rates in Ukraine. These munitions are critical for battlefield operations, enabling forces to strike strategic targets such as supply depots and command centers while providing protection for ground troops.
Rheinmetall has been scaling up production since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The company has expanded manufacturing capacity and opened new facilities, including a plant inaugurated last year that is expected to become the largest ammunition factory in Europe.
NATO leadership has continued to stress the importance of increasing stockpiles. Secretary General Mark Rutte has identified ammunition, alongside capabilities such as air defense systems, as a priority area for the alliance as it adapts to evolving security challenges.