The artillery shell manufacturing plant worth hundreds of millions may be launched by 2028

As soon as we published the LETA agency news about the construction of a shell plant in the forest near Jēkabpils, another similar piece of news arrived. The Latvian artillery shell manufacturing plant worth hundreds of millions of euros may start operations in 2028, reported LETA by Ingrid Kirse, a member of the board of the State Defense Corporation.

Since the end of September, the corporation has been actively working with the ministries of defense and economy, "Rheinmetall," and the National Armed Forces on preparing the project. "We continue to work with 'Rheinmetall' on the terms of cooperation, the model, and on questions regarding when we will build and how much it will cost," said Kirse.

Kirse did not comment on the specific timeline for the plant's launch but suggested that it could happen in 2028.

Kirse and Defense Minister Andris Spruds did not comment to LETA on specific potential locations for the plant's construction but stated that they have already been identified, and negotiations and evaluations are currently underway.

"All contracts must be concluded this year so that we can clearly implement the plan. Then we will begin construction. Right now, it depends on the process of reaching an agreement with 'Rheinmetall,'" said the minister.

In response to a question about specific investments from the Latvian state in this plant, he did not specify exact amounts, as it is necessary to agree with 'Rheinmetall' on the specific parts of the investments.

Speaking about potential locations for the production of other ammunition in Latvia, Spruds reminded that the Ministry of Defense is considering opportunities for developing the production of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Although Latvia's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, storage, and production of anti-personnel mines, came into effect at the end of last year, Spruds emphasized that Latvia does not have such mines in stockpiles, but purchases of mines are being organized. The minister expressed hope that this year more specific plans will be developed regarding both the acquisition of mines and their partial assembly or production in Latvia.

It has already been reported that in September of last year, a memorandum of understanding was signed in Germany regarding the establishment of an ammunition manufacturing facility in Latvia by the defense industry company 'Rheinmetall.'