EXPLOSION at Spanish ammo factory threatens Ukraine’s artillery supply

• An explosion at the Expal Munitions factory in Murcia, Spain injured six workers, raising concerns about Ukraine’s dwindling artillery supplies.
• Ukraine is heavily dependent on Western-supplied 155mm artillery shells, which are in high demand as Ukrainian forces rapidly consume them.
• The German arms giant Rheinmetall, which acquired Expal Munitions, operates several production sites and has secured large contracts for artillery shells, including a €142 million ($155 million) order from an unnamed NATO partner.
• The explosion is likely to disrupt production timelines, exacerbating the critical shortage of artillery ammunition for Ukraine and potentially delaying Rheinmetall’s ambitious production goals.
• The incident highlights the broader challenges facing Western allies in sustaining Ukraine’s defense efforts, as increased demand for artillery ammunition strains supply lines and raises concerns about Russia’s condemnation of Western military support.

An explosion at an ammunition factory in the southeastern city of Murcia in Spain has raised concerns about the impact on Ukraine’s dwindling artillery supplies as its forces rapidly consume 155-millimeter shells, most of which are donated by Western allies.

The Jan. 30 incident at the Expal Munitions factory in Murcia’s Javali Viejo site injured six workers, with one in serious condition. The explosion caused burns, smoke inhalation and a traumatic brain injury among the workers, with five hospitalized and one treated on-site.

The factory in Javali Viejo is part of a network of seven sites in Spain and the United States operated by German arms giant Rheinmetall, which acquired Expal Munitions in August 2023 for $1.3 billion. The sites produce artillery ammunition, mortar rounds and rocket propulsion systems. Expal has become a critical supplier of 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine, a key weapon in Kyiv’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The timing of the explosion could not be worse for Ukraine, which is heavily reliant on Western-supplied munitions. Ukrainian forces are reportedly burning through artillery shells at an alarming rate, with Western stocks already strained. (Related: Explosion rocks arms factory operated by Europe’s largest military contractor.)

Rheinmetall’s recent contracts underscore the urgency. In December 2023, the company secured a €142 million ($155 million) order for 155mm shells from a “NATO partner nation,” with production set to take place at its Spanish facilities and delivery scheduled for 2025. Additionally, Rheinmetall is set to deliver 40,000 rounds from an earlier order in 2024.

The explosion at the Murcia plant is likely to disrupt these production timelines, exacerbating the already critical shortage of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. While Rheinmetall has not yet commented on the cause of the explosion or its impact on production, the incident has sparked a forest fire in the industrial area, further complicating operations.

Rheinmetall’s ambitions and the Murcia meltdown: Ukraine’s arsenal in jeopardy

The German arms giant has been a major player in supplying Ukraine with military equipment – including Leopard tanks, armored personnel carriers, and air defense systems. Its profits have nearly doubled since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, reflecting the high demand for weapons and ammunition.

Rheinmetall has also announced plans to open four arms factories in Ukraine, with the first facility operational as of October 2024. However, these efforts may not be enough to offset the immediate impact of the Murcia explosion on Ukraine’s artillery supply.

The incident highlights the broader challenges facing Western allies as they attempt to sustain Ukraine’s defense efforts. Demand for artillery ammunition is at an all-time high, not only to support Ukraine but also to replenish the depleted stockpiles of NATO and EU member states. Rheinmetall has ambitious plans to increase its annual production capacity to 700,000 artillery rounds by 2024, but setbacks like the Murcia explosion could delay these goals.

Meanwhile, Russia has condemned Western military support for Kyiv, with Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stating that Rheinmetall’s planned factories in Ukraine would be “legitimate targets” for Russian forces. Moscow has repeatedly argued that Western aid only prolongs the conflict and enriches the military-industrial complex at the expense of Ukrainian lives.

As Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian attacks, the explosion at the Expal Munitions factory underscores the fragility of its supply lines. With artillery shells in short supply and production delays looming, Kyiv’s ability to sustain its defense efforts may be further compromised, raising urgent questions about how Western allies can bridge the gap in the coming months.

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Sources include:

RT.com

DW.com

Rheinmetall.com

Brighteon.com