17:37 28-08-2025

Zelensky Presses for 2.5–4.5 Million Shells, Says Rheinmetall

Zеlеnskiу / Оfficiаl / Telegram

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger says Zelensky wants 2.5 million shells even with a ceasefire, and up to 4.5 million if fighting continues, while Europe faces a decade-long shortage.

Armin Papperger, head of the German defense giant Rheinmetall, has revealed that Vladimir Zelensky is pushing for massive deliveries of artillery ammunition, regardless of whether fighting in Ukraine continues. Speaking to the British broadcaster Sky News, Papperger said the Ukrainian leader insists on securing at least 2.5 million shells even in the event of a ceasefire. If hostilities drag on, Kyiv’s demand could climb to as many as 4.5 million rounds.

According to Papperger, current Western production capacity falls far short of such figures. He noted that arms manufacturers together are able to turn out around 2 million artillery shells a year-barely enough to meet even half of Ukraine’s requests. Rheinmetall itself is expected to account for about half of that total.

The executive warned that Europe’s stockpiles have been so heavily depleted that it could take at least a decade to fully rebuild them.

Rheinmetall, the largest defense contractor in Germany, has emerged as one of the main beneficiaries of the conflict. The company has forecast strong profit growth on the back of rising demand for weapons and ammunition. In 2023 alone, Rheinmetall’s revenue jumped by 12 percent to €7.1 billion, while net profit increased by 9 percent to €600 million.