31 Jul 25. IDEF 2025: Türkiye unveils Mk 84 Gazap fragmentation bomb. Türkiye unveiled its Mk 84 Gazap (Wrath) bomb at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 held in Istanbul from 22 to 27 July. Developed by the Turkish Ministry of National Defenseʼs Research and Development Centre, the indigenously produced munition is the largest and most powerful member of the Mk 80 family of freefall low-drag general purpose (GP) munition that can deliver thousands of fragments optimised to target personnel and light armoured targets. Gazap has a length of 2.6 m and a diameter of 460 mm, with a launch weight of 907 kg. After launch from an aircraft, it follows a ballistic trajectory towards its target, stabilised by four tailfins. It delivers 453 kg of TBX filling, with an impact, time delay fuze, dispersing 10,000 fragments at a density of 10.16 fragments/m². The munition can be mounted on underwing pylons and is compatible with aircraft certified to carry the Mk 84 GP bomb. It is also compatible with guidance kits developed for that bomb. (Source: Janes)
31 Jul 25. RDM ammunition exports are above board – Motshekga. According to Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Angie Motshekga, Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) is “a proudly South African company” operating “in accordance with national legislative requirements”. She was answering a Parliamentary question posed by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP) Carl Niehaus who alleges that 155 mm ammunition produced by RDM finds its way to Israel and Gaza.
Her written reply notes “no contracts [awarded to or won by RDM], in line with industry confidentiality” can be shared. The response has it further “RDM is committed to being an ethical corporate citizen, which always entails abiding by the laws of South Africa”.
“As such RDM strictly adheres to and is restricted by all relevant legislation, including [South African] export regulations.”
The Motshekga reply lists 16 international and local organisations/groups/treaties RDM has to comply with before it can export any product. When it comes to South African legislative prescripts RDM is bound by ten, ranging from the National Conventional Arms Control (NCAC) Act to the Explosives and Nuclear Energy acts. Motshekga further informs her questioner “the South African munitions trade is highly regulated” and aligns the country with “all other international requirements” as committed to by South Africa. Her reply ends stating “RDM is not able to deliver products to clients until receipt of a EUC (end-user certificate) and an export permit from the DCAC (Directorate Conventional Arms Control) has been issued”. Another safeguard is the “third party attending to shipment and delivery” can only deliver to the address specified in the export licence and after complying with all other legislative requirements. RDM was established through a joint venture between Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and Denel in 2008. RDM employs 2 600 people at its four sites located at Somerset West, Wellington, Potchefstroom and Boksburg. Earlier this month, RDM announced the largest order in its history. Sweden ordered R7.3 bn worth of 155 mm artillery rounds for delivery between 2025 and 2027. The record order comes on the back of a major 155 mm ammunition order for a customer worth tens of ms of euros that was announced at the beginning of June. RDM specialises in designing, developing, manufacturing, and demilitarising medium—to large-calibre ammunition. The company said it is particularly proud of its status as the world leader in long-range artillery and its reputation for excellence in artillery suites, rockets and warheads for missile and other applications, mortar bombs, tank ammunition, air-launched munitions, and infantry munitions.
“Rheinmetall Denel Munition is on a growth path and continues to serve as a strategic global partner and actively contributes to developing defence technology in South Africa. The Rheinmetall Group continuously invests in increasing Rheinmetall Denel Munition’s production capacity in response to the escalating demand for defence goods,” RDM CEO Dr Frank Dirksen said last year. “We have started expanding additionally within Rheinmetall Denel Munition, including acquiring land to expand one of our operations. We expect our growth to double by the end of 2025,” Dirksen added. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
31 Jul 25. Rheinmetall will deliver 40mm ammunition to Lithuania and hand grenades to Estonia – total order value around €33m. Estonia awarded Rheinmetall a framework contract in the second quarter of 2025 for the delivery of hand grenades. Splinter grenades are to be delivered in 2026 and 2027, and offensive hand grenades from 2026 to 2029 – in significant numbers in each case. The order is worth around €17m gross. Back in December 2024, Lithuania had already placed an order with Rheinmetall for several tens of thousands of 40 mm x 46 high-explosive fragmentation (HE Frag) combat cartridges. The order is worth around €16 m gross. The ammunition is to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. As a “one-stop shop” for 40 mm systems Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading suppliers of ammunition, weapon systems and firing control systems in this field. Rheinmetall’s 40 mm x 46 low-velocity ammunition can be used in all standard grenade launchers and attachable grenade launchers in this calibre. It reaches a velocity of 76 m/s and has an effective range of 400 metres. Other NATO countries also use this modern ammunition. Compared to LV cartridges, the new 40 mm x 46 Medium Velocity (MV) ammunition has an acceleration of around 100 m/s and a flat trajectory, so targets can be attacked faster and hence, increases the effective range to 900 m. In 2025, Rheinmetall will bring its Squad Support Weapon 40 to series production, the world’s first magazine-fed automatic shoulder-fired grenade launcher, capable of firing MV and LV ammunition. In combination with the broad spectrum of Rheinmetall’s 40 mm LV/MV ammunition portfolio, infantry users will achieve unprecedented flexibility and effectiveness on the battlefield. Rheinmetall’s 40 mm ammunition range also includes 40 mm x 53 ammunition (high velocity) for automatic grenade launchers. This has a muzzle velocity of 130 m/s and a range of up to 2,000 metres.
26 Jul 25. New home for Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal troop. Fantastic new facilities have been provided for a British Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. A specialist Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) troop has moved into its new home at Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton. The newly-named Nuneaton EOD Troop – formerly Nottingham EOD Troop and part of 721 EOD Squadron Royal Logistic Corps – relocated in July from Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham to Gamecock Barracks. The Squadron belongs to 11 EOD and Search Regiment, the British Army specialists responsible for the safe handling and disposal of explosives, ensuring the safety of civilians and military personnel, with squadrons based across the UK. The sale of Chetwynd Barracks forms part of the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio, which is investing £5.1 bn in creating a Defence estate that better meets the future needs of the Armed Forces while improving the lived experience of military personnel. As part of this process, DEO is releasing public sector land for alternative use, which includes supporting government housing targets, and reinvesting the receipts back into the Defence estate. The newly-built EOD compound at Gamecock Barracks which consists of an office building, garage, secure store, and a training area has been delivered under the DEO Army Programme by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) contracting to VIVO, with subcontractors Tetra Tech as designer and Henry Brothers appointed to build the new facility.
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Army Basing and Infrastructure said: “The investment in Gamecock Barracks demonstrates how we are working to improve our infrastructure to meet the needs of the modern Army – and to enable our people to perform at their best. The truly impressive new facilities that have been delivered for Nuneaton EOD Troop are an example of critical infrastructure that directly strengthens our operational capabilities.”
Warren Webster, DIO’s Head of Major Programmes and Projects for the Army, said: “These impressive new facilities were crucial to allow 11 EOD and Search Regiment to operate from their new home, Gamecock Barracks. We’ve worked hard with our design contractors Tetra Tech and build contractors Henry Brothers, sub-contracted by VIVO, to make sure it caters for everything the Regiment’s soldiers and officers need to prepare for and undertake their vital role. 11 EOD and Search Regt is responsible for ensuring all land service ammunition and explosives are stored and maintained appropriately, as well as providing the Army with technical support to ensure it can fulfil its responsibilities in dealing with ammunition. As those responsible for the safety of the public from explosive, chemical, biological and radiological threats, this work is essential to UK resilience, as Capt Robert Soutar, second in command at 721 EOD Squadron explained: We are the most highly decorated peace time Regiment in the British Army: providing the highest level of EOD, Search and Electronic Warfare support to Defence and the Home Office. We are unique within the Army in that we deliver our capability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. This team is one of 15 national teams that keep us safe from bombs and explosive risks.
Speaking about the new facilities, Paul Bond, Operations Director for the Built Estate Central region at VIVO Defence Services, said: “As one of the UK’s largest providers of estate services to the MOD, we’re proud to serve the UK military and help enable its defence capability. I’m pleased we’ve provided such an excellent, innovative and secure facility, specifically designed and built with the EOD Troop relocating to it in mind so it aids them in the important work they do. I’m confident this will be a great new home for them for years to come. Thank you to all those involved across VIVO and our supply chain and thank you to DIO, Army infrastructure and Gamecock’s base commanders for such close cooperation on this project.
Managing Director of Henry Brothers Construction, Ian Taylor, added: “Henry Brothers has been involved in a significant number of schemes across the UK, helping to upgrade and improve MOD sites, including several in partnership with VIVO Defence Services. We are very proud to have been involved in delivering a new home for the EOD Troop as the troop moves from Chilwell in Nottingham to Gamecock Barracks near Nuneaton. This development, which is part of the MOD’s investment into the Armed Forces, will give them modern, purpose-built, secure facilities as they start a new chapter in the history of the Troop.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)