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President Radev in Germany

President Radev: Rheinmetall's Investment Makes Bulgaria Part of Europe's Defence Ecosystem

Nikolay Zabov, BTA special correspondent Elena Savova
President Radev: Rheinmetall's Investment Makes Bulgaria Part of Europe's Defence Ecosystem
President Radev: Rheinmetall's Investment Makes Bulgaria Part of Europe's Defence Ecosystem
President Rumen Radev (right) and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Unterluess, August 27, 2025 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)
Unterluess, Germany,  
27.08.2025 20:32
 (BTA)

President Rumen Radev told a press briefing here on Wednesday that thanks to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall's investment, Bulgaria is becoming part of the European defence ecosystem. Radev joined Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger for a joint press briefing dedicated to the opening of a new plant in Unterluess, Germany, that will produce 155mm NATO-standard artillery shells.

Radev described the facility in Germany as a true example of leading technologies and standards in the defence industry. Regarding the company's plans in Bulgaria, he said: “This is not just about joint production, but about further developing the long-term strategic partnership with Germany, creating new jobs, introducing new technologies, supporting the modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces, and expanding the market for the Bulgarian arms industry.”

The head of State expressed confidence that the new productions in Bulgaria are only the beginning of fruitful cooperation. As possible areas for further partnerships, he pointed to autonomous systems and the creation of a joint venture in Bulgaria for the production of motor vehicles, given the outdated vehicle fleet of the Bulgarian armed forces.

Papperger thanked the President and the executive for the support Rheinmetall's planned investment in Bulgaria received during Papperger's visit to Sofia back in March. The planned shell factory in Bulgaria will have a capacity of 100,000 to 150,000 units per year, or half the capacity of the facility in Unterluess, the CEO said.

The second project—a gunpowder factory—will be of great importance given the high demand for gunpowder in Europe, Papperger said. He expressed hope that by 2035, the gunpowder production facilities will be fully operational. He reported that Rheinmetall will have the paperwork for the projects ready in the next three to four weeks, and the decision will be in the hands of the Bulgarian government.

/DD/

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By 22:27 on 27.08.2025 Today`s news

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