Hungarian Defense Minister Krystof Szalay-Bobrownicki and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger have inaugurated the first section of a new ammunition plant in Varpalot, 75 kilometers southwest of Budapest, the Hartpunkt news platform reported on July 30.
As the Hungarian Ministry of Defence announced in a press release on 29 July, production of 30×173 mm ammunition will begin at the factory in the near future. In December 2022, the foundation stone of the first part of the plant was laid, which is already in operation.
The Hungarian company N7 Holding was responsible for the construction of the plant, which consists of several segments. The Hungarian state subsidized investments in the facility to the tune of almost 60 million euros.
The production line for 30×173 mm ammunition, the first stage of which has been completed, is reported to be starting trial operation soon. The line will employ 50 people, Szalay-Bobrownicki said.
The Hungarian Minister of Defence also stressed the importance of the production of medium-calibre cartridges to supply the Hungarian armed forces. In the next phase, as part of the so-called Várpalota 2.0 project, the plant will be expanded to produce 120 mm ammunition for main battle tanks and 155 mm artillery ammunition.
The second part of the plant is scheduled to be put into operation in 2025, with production starting in early 2026. The production of ammunition on 120 hectares will employ 200 people.
A factory for the production of explosives is reportedly being built at the same site in Hungary. The capacity of this project, which is also operated by a joint venture between Rheinmetall and N7, is expected to meet domestic demand as well as exports during its final expansion phase.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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