German defence manufacturer Diehl has inaugurated a new production facility in Röthenbach an der Pegnitz to manufacture 155mm artillery shell bodies, expanding its ammunition production capacity to support the Bundeswehr and allied armed forces.
The facility was officially opened on November 10 by Diehl Metall and Diehl Defence, following a joint project initiated in June 2024 in collaboration with Norwegian ammunition manufacturer Nammo.
The companies repurposed an existing 7,000-square-metre (75,347-square-foot) industrial hall and installed advanced manufacturing equipment, including two forging presses, to establish the new production line.
The facility will manufacture metal shell bodies for the DiNa 155mm artillery ammunition programme. Diehl Metall will handle shell body manufacturing, while Diehl Defence will manage quality assurance and integration requirements before incorporating the components into finished ammunition. Nammo, which developed the DiNa artillery round, contributes its technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities to the initiative.
Diehl Expands Its Ammunition Manufacturing Capacity
The Röthenbach facility forms part of Diehl Defence’s broader strategy to expand its German production infrastructure amid increasing demand for military equipment and ammunition.
The company has also resumed defence-related manufacturing activities at Spreewerk Lübben in Brandenburg. The facility is being developed to produce ammunition components and fuzes, with plans to generate approximately 150 jobs by 2027.
The expansion follows a major 2024 contract awarded to the Diehl-Nammo consortium by Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).
Additionally, Diehl has strengthened its manufacturing infrastructure through investments in other facilities, including a new missile integration centre in Nonnweiler, which commenced operations in January.
