The Spanish Army has signed a framework agreement with Rheinmetall to supply around half a million modular propellant systems for 155mm extended-range artillery ammunition. In modern artillery, projectiles and propelling charges are loaded separately in order to achieve different ranges. The order is worth up to €205 million and is scheduled for delivery from mid-2024 to the end of 2025. It was booked in July 2024. The 155mm Artillery Modular Charge System has been developed closely with Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and was qualified into service with the German BWB in 1996 for use in all NATO standard 39 and 52 calibre gun configurations with associated projectiles complying with the Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU). Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of large-calibre ammunition and propellant systems.
The order includes an extension option for a further two years, which could significantly increase its value. Against the backdrop of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Spanish army also intends to replenish its ammunition stocks. In this context, the procurement of propellant charge systems for the M109 and SIAC 155mm calibre howitzers is taking place. The current contract signing is one of several orders placed by the Spanish army this year. In April 2024, Rheinmetall announced that the Group had received an order to supply mortar shells in the high double-digit million euro range. In March 2024, Rheinmetall received an order to supply 155mm artillery ammunition worth over €200 million by the end of 2025.
The DM82A1 low zone and the DM92 high zone module have an operational performance over the entire temperature range –46°C to +63°C. The modular charge system is in service with more than ten user countries (NATO and others) and in qualification with other customers. More than 1.5 million modules have been produced and fielded to date including operational deployment. The modular charge system has been tested in accordance with the STANAG requirements for IM munitions including shaped charge attack from M77 bomblet sub-munitions and the 87mm RPG7 shaped charge. In all tests, type IV to V reactions have been demonstrated. Besides the proven interoperability in several gun systems, the modular charge system from Nitrochemie stands out due to its environmental robustness and durability under extreme environmental conditions.
The M109 is an American 155 mm turreted self-propelled howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s to replace the M44. The M109 family is the most common Western indirect-fire support weapon of maneuver brigades of armored and mechanized infantry divisions. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported in 2024 that the Spanish Army operates 95 M109A5 howitzers. Additionally, the Spanish Marine Corps still operates 6 M109A2 howitzers. The SIAC is a state of the art 155/52 caliber towed howitzer with self-propelled capabilities thanks to its integrated APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) manufactured by Santa Bárbara Sistemas (SBS) a division of General Dynamics. The barrel is produced by the German company Rheinmetall, while the gun carriage is produced by SBS. 70 units were ordered and 66 were produced.
