“With the investment of the German defence conglomerate Rheinmetall, Bulgaria becomes part of the European defence ecosystem,” said Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Germany at a joint briefing with Rheinmetall’s CEO Armin Papperger at the opening of a new high-tech munitions plant in Unterluess in Lower Saxony, Germany.  

• President Radev participates in opening of high-tech defense plant in Germany

Armin Papperger on his part said that the possibility of building joint projects with Bulgaria had first been discussed during the Munich security conference, and added that Rheinmetall is going to invest in two factories, together with the Bulgarian government – one for munition and one for gunpowder. The shell factory planned in Bulgaria will have an annual capacity of 100,000 to 150,000 units, or half the capacity of the facility in Unterluess, he said further.

As regards the company’s plans in Bulgaria, President Radev stated that besides joint production, they also include furthering the long-term strategic partnership with Germany, creating jobs, introducing new technologies, support for the modernization of the Bulgarian army as well as expanding the market for the Bulgarian arms industry.

Edited by Diana Tsankova
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photo: Facebook /  Rumen Radev