Bogdan Frolov14:30, 12.03.26

Previously, the problem was the pace of production, but now everything is different.

The warehouses of one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the world, the German defense concern Rheinmetall, are filled with scarce artillery shells, but it is impossible to transfer them to Ukraine. The reason was given by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger. He complained about the lack of money to purchase weapons for Ukraine, in particular, due to the agreement of a 90 billion euro loan from the European Union.

“We continue to produce most of the products [for Ukraine]. For example, I currently have artillery ammunition in my warehouses that I cannot sell to Ukraine,” Papperger said at a press conference following the results of 2025, answering questions from DW .

Defense Express reports that this is not the first time Rheinmetall has heard such complaints. While the concern previously had problems with production rates, now it has the opportunity to deliver more air defense systems, ammunition, and tanks, but there is no one to pay for it.

Papperger also said that a factory for the production of ammunition has not been built in Ukraine, although the equipment for it is already ready. Now Rheinmetall is waiting for the completion of “civil works”, but the process is being delayed. Therefore, construction can begin conditionally in a year. Although production was supposed to start in the summer of 2026, the media writes.

(c)UNIAN 2026