# RDM sells 155mm artillery ammunition to NATO country

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/01/rdm-sells-155mm-artillery-ammunition-to-nato-country/
- Published: 2023-01-02T09:41:02+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

Rheinmetall Denel Munition; the South African subsidiary of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition
GmbH, the German defence and technology giant, will supply a NATO country with 155mm
ammunition.

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) – is a partnership between the German parent and
South African state-owned Denel.

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A long-time NATO customer awarded the South African subsidiary Rheinmetall Denel
Munition a framework contract for the supply of 155mm ammunition of the proven Assegai
product line.

The order value is in the mid three-digit million EUR range. The framework agreement
was concluded in December and has a term of five years.

This new order signifies the growing demand for RDM’s ammunition from NATO and non-
NATO forces.

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The five years framework contract provides for the delivery of 155mm M2005 V-LAP(
Velocity Enhanced Long Range Artillery Projectile) projectiles, M92 modular charges
and various fuzes.

The 155mm M2005 V-LAP projectile features a high fragmentation effect as well as
extended range through rocket and base bleed technology. The rocket assist V-LAP
projectile together with the Assegai M92 tactical charges features barrel erosion
and muzzle signature reducer properties. It is designed according to the NATO Joint
Ballistics Memorandum of Under¬standing (JBMoU) requirements and qualified according
to STANAG guidelines. The ammunition is already deployed in several NATO countries.

“We are proud to support our long-time NATO partner with Rheinmetall‘s world leading
long range artillery suite. Framework agreements provide long-term ammunition supply
assurance and a flexible system for procuring ammunition over the course of a year”,
stated Jan-Patrick Helmsen, CEO of Rheinmetall Denel Munition. “The rocket assist
V-lap together with the tactical assegai charges M92 with barrel wearer reducer 
and muzzle flash reducer will support both the soldiers in the battlefield and the
logistics and maintenance troops.”

The M2005 HE V-LAP projectile is at the forefront of modern artillery technology
and provides an extended range interdiction capability against soft targets and 
soft skinned vehicles as well as the disruption of logistical supply lines beyond
the close battlefield. The M2005 projectile can be used with suitable NATO standard
fuzes and JBMoU compatible modular charge systems and can be fired from any compatible
155mm weapon system. The base drag reduction and rocket assistance extend the range
performance of Assegai with no special operational and logistical requirements.

RDM [signed a ten-year agreement with Northrop Grumman ](https://www.military.africa/2021/04/rdm-northrop-grumman-signs-jv-on-future-artillery-ammunition-technology/)
to develop precision and long-range ammunition technology for future artillery operations.

RDM continues to enjoy widespread export success for it’s ammunition from customers
both in NATO, Asia, and Africa.

Three years ago, RDM [secured](https://www.military.africa/2020/12/rdm-bags-40-and-76-mm-ammunition-contract-from-international-customer/)
a contract for 40 mm grenade and 76 mm gun ammunition from an international client.

In 2021, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence [signed a contract with Rheinmetall](https://www.military.africa/2022/04/rdm-to-supply-artillery-rounds-to-hungary/)
to supply an extensive package of ammunition worth several hundred million euros.
The order encompasses ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks,
artillery, and decoy systems. Delivery is starting in 2023 and is to be complete
by 2031.

In August 2022, Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM)[ supplied 155mm ammunition from the Assegai product line to a NATO customer.](https://www.military.africa/2022/08/rheinmetall-nets-155-mm-assegai-ammunition-order/)

Back in 2019, Rheinmetall succeeded in setting a new maximum range record in South
Africa with the Assegai family and other Group products like the new Topcharge.

Both companies will focus on developing an enhanced range 155 mm artillery round
fitted with an integrated M1156 precision guidance kit (PGK), as well as on developing
a new 155 mm projectile with an improved integrated propulsion system.

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Jointly owned by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH (51%) of Germany and Denel (Pty)
Ltd, Rheinmetall Denel Munition produces a wide variety of ammunition such as 155
mm artillery ammunition, 60, 81 and 120 mm mortars, 40 mm grenades and 76/62 mm 
Naval Rounds, aircraft bombs and mine breaching systems. Rheinmetall Denel Munition
also builds ammunition filling plants for export and manufactures missile subsystems.

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