Rheinmetall Expands Gunpowder Production Amid European Defense Spending Surge
Rheinmetall, a major German defense contractor, is significantly expanding its gunpowder production capabilities at its Aschau am Inn site in Bavaria. This expansion, known as 'Project Firepower,' aims to address the increased demand for ammunition following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. European governments have ramped up their defense budgets to levels not seen since the Cold War, driven by perceived threats from Russia and wavering U.S. security guarantees. The expansion will more than double Rheinmetall's gunpowder production to 4,200 metric tons annually by 2028. The company has also secured its own supply of nitrocellulose, a key ingredient in ammunition propellant, to overcome previous shortages. 
