AFU proves effectiveness of high-precision shells - Germany invests nearly €100 million in rebuilding SMArt 155 production

The German government has approved the allocation of nearly €100 million to rebuild the production of high-precision artillery shells SMArt 155 for 155-mm howitzers.

Here's What We Know

Rheinmetall and Diehl produced approximately 12,000 artillery shells at the beginning of the 21st century. 3,000 rounds went to Greece, Switzerland, and Austria, and the German Defense Ministry received the rest.

Germany at the time had begun rejecting the use of cluster munitions under the 1997 Ottawa Convention. The authorities decided that 9,000 SMArt 155s could replace hundreds of thousands of cluster munitions with several thousand cluster munitions for the M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket systems.

It would now take Germany at least five years just to restore production of 155mm high-precision artillery shells. Of the total investment of €97.4 million, Germany will spend part of the money to restore production of individual electronics components that are no longer in production.

By 2027, the German military will be able to obtain only 10,000 projectiles. The total cost will be €810 million, i.e. an average of €81,000 per unit.

Source: Defence24

Image: Army Recognition