Rheinmetall has unveiled significant plans for a new ammunition disposal facility in Dillingen an der Donau, Bavaria. This facility will occupy a 41-hectare (101-acre) site known as Lerchenberg, which was previously used as a German Armed Forces depot. The facility aims to dismantle and destroy both World War-era ordnance as well as outdated stockpiled ammunition from the military and NATO partner forces. The operations are set to commence in early 2026.
The site is designed to feature 32 bunkers equipped to store as much as 900 tonnes (1.9 million pounds) of explosives, reflecting the company’s commitment to safety and environmental standards. The Düsseldorf-based company emphasized that this infrastructure project responds not only to pressing security concerns but also to long-standing environmental challenges associated with legacy munitions.
Rheinmetall highlighted the staggering scale of the munitions problem in Europe, estimating that roughly 1.6 million tonnes (3.5 billion pounds) of legacy munitions are located on the seabeds of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea alone. Furthermore, it noted that over 2 million tonnes (4.4 billion pounds) of bombs were dropped across Germany and its occupied territories during World War II, contributing to a substantial post-war explosive risk.
In southern Germany, authorities estimate that more than 20,000 tonnes (44 million pounds) of unexploded ordnance are still awaiting clearance and disposal, underscoring the urgent need for such facilities.
This initiative follows Rheinmetall’s recent acquisition of Stascheit GmbH in April 2025, a company based in Gardelegen that specializes in ordnance detection, recovery, and disposal, including offshore operations. The integration of Stascheit into Rheinmetall’s Projects & Services division, in conjunction with the new disposal center in Bavaria, enhances the company’s position in addressing Europe’s munitions legacy and advancing its role in safety and environmental stewardship.
