---
title: "Rheinmetall Launches Munitions Plant in Spain for Air Defense and Anti-Drone Systems"
description: "Rheinmetall has launched a new medium-caliber ammunition plant in Albacete, Spain, investing about €20 million. The line will produce 20–35 mm rounds, including AHEAD ammunition for air defense systems."
date: 2026-10-20T08:09:04.607Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/rheinmetall-launches-albacete-munitions-plant-spain
tags: [rheinmetall, ammunition, spain, nato, ukraine, air-defense, ahead-ammunition]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Rheinmetall Launches Munitions Plant in Spain for Air Defense and Anti-Drone Systems

![Automatic anti-aircraft gun Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 by Rheinmetall displayed outdoors](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/20/rheinmetall-zavod-albasete-boepripasy-srednego-kalibra/rheinmetall-zavod-albasete-boepripasy-srednego-kalibra-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Rheinmetall launched a new medium-caliber ammunition plant in Albacete, Spain
- Investment totals around €20 million, with staff growing from 210 to about 300 employees
- Annual capacity reaches about 1.2 million projectiles and 1.8 million cases of 20–35 mm caliber, including AHEAD rounds
- 35 mm AHEAD shells are used by Skynex air defense systems operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine

German defense concern Rheinmetall has announced the launch of a new medium-caliber ammunition production plant at its facility in Albacete, Spain, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing the company's press service. The enterprise will become part of the concern's expanding European production network and will focus primarily on the needs of NATO partners and other allies regarding anti-aircraft artillery and counter-drone systems.

### Investment and Workforce Growth

Rheinmetall has invested approximately €20 million in expanding production capacities in Albacete. The number of personnel at the facility is expected to grow by nearly a third, from the current 210 to about 300 people. Thus, the company is simultaneously boosting local employment and strengthening its industrial base in Southern Europe, which aligns with the overall strategy of relocating part of defense manufacturing to the continent.

### What the New Line Will Produce

The new production line will manufacture ammunition in calibers ranging from 20 mm to 35 mm. Annual capacity is estimated at approximately 1.2 million projectiles and about 1.8 million cartridge cases. These components will subsequently be processed at other facilities within Rheinmetall's network to assemble finished rounds for infantry fighting vehicles and anti-aircraft artillery systems. The product range includes kinetic ammunition with time-fuzed detonators, armor-piercing rounds, and AHEAD-type ammunition designed for air defense systems and counter-drone operations.

### Connection to Ukrainian Air Defense

Of particular note is the fact that 35 mm AHEAD ammunition is used by the Skynex air defense systems currently in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was previously reported that Ukrainian military personnel used Skynex to eliminate over a dozen Shahed-type strike drones and a cruise missile in a single night. The Skynex system itself was transferred to Ukraine by Germany along with other weaponry as part of a declared military aid package, making the expansion of relevant shell production in Europe practically significant for maintaining the combat readiness of these systems.

### Integration into the European Supply Network

The Albacete facility will cooperate with other Rheinmetall divisions in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland to meet the needs of NATO partners and other allies. According to the company, the development of a local supplier network creates new business opportunities throughout the region and reduces dependence on supply chains stretching across multiple countries. The launch of the Albacete plant continues the trajectory Rheinmetall is building across Europe: previously, the concern implemented projects for the production of artillery and anti-aircraft ammunition at new facilities in various countries, including agreements to build plants in Europe.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Rheinmetall открыл завод по выпуску снарядов против дронов: нужны ли они ВСУ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rheinmetall-vidkriv-zavod-vipusku-snaryadiv-1792483206.html) - Primary source: Albacete plant launch, €20 million, 210→300 employees, 1.2 million shells and 1.8 million cases of 20–35 mm, AHEAD ammunition for Skynex.
- [Rheinmetall начал поставлять Украине артиллерийские снаряды с нового завода](https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/27915477) - Confirms Rheinmetall's production expansion and ammunition deliveries, but refers to a German plant and artillery shells — does not contradict Albacete facts.
- [Литва и Rheinmetall договорились о строительстве завода по производству снарядов для артиллерии](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B0/20241231-%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B8-rheinmetall-%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%8C-%D0%BE-%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B5-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D1%83-%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%8F%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F-%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8) - Подтверждено по источнику rfi.fr
- [Rheinmetall отправил Украине первую партию боеприпасов с нового завода](https://life.ru/p/1899876) - First batch of ammunition from the new German enterprise; context for the general theme of production expansion.

## FAQ

### Where did Rheinmetall launch its new plant?

At the facility in Albacete, Spain.

### How much did the company invest in the expansion?

About €20 million.

### What calibers will be produced?

Ammunition ranging from 20 mm to 35 mm in caliber.

### What is the annual capacity of the new line?

Approximately 1.2 million projectiles and about 1.8 million cartridge cases.

### How is the plant connected to Ukraine?

The 35 mm AHEAD ammunition produced within the company's network is used by Skynex air defense systems in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.