Rheinmetall to supply 40mm grenade launcher ammunition to Spanish army.

Rheinmetall continues to expand its position as a leading systems supplier for 40mm weapon and ammunition systems. The Group’s South African subsidiary Rheinmetall Denel Munition has been awarded a framework contract by the Spanish armed forces for the supply of 40mm ammunition. The contract, which was awarded a few weeks ago, is for a period of four years. It provides for the supply of 40mm x 53 high-velocity combat as well as training ammunition. A first call-off in the low single-digit million euro range has already been made. The first ammunition deliveries will start in 2022.
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The SB-40 LAG is a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher developed and produced in Spain by the Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara (EN SB) company (currently a part of the European Land Systems Group of General Dynamics). (Picture source: Wikipedia)

The delivery now ordered by Spain comprises 40mm x 53 high explosive (HE), high explosive dual purpose (HEDP) as well as training ammunition with and without tracer. It is intended for the SB-40 LAG and Mk 19 grenade machine guns. These are used by the army and also by the navy.

The 40x53 mm high velocity (HV) ammunition from Rheinmetall Denel Munition reaches a velocity of 240 m/s and has an effective range of 2,200 metres. The High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) is a multi-purpose ammunition. On the one hand, it has a high fragmentation and shrapnel effect against soft targets, but as shaped charge ammunition, it can also be used against lightly armoured targets or fortified positions. It has a penetrating power of 50mm RHA (Rolled Homogenous Armour).

Rheinmetall's product portfolio in 40mm calibre also includes 40x46mm Low Velocity and 40x51mm Medium Velocity ammunition for a wide range of applications. In addition, there are fire control systems as well as weapon systems for the grenade gunner.

For Rheinmetall Denel Munition, the framework contract is another sales success in a NATO country. It also confirms the Rheinmetall subsidiary's competence as a systems house for indirect fire, offering innovative and reliable solutions based on technologies developed in-house.

Firing of 40mm grenades by an SB-40 LAG automatic grenade launcher (Picture source: Rheinmetall)