South Africa blocks artillery shell delivery to Poland

South African authorities have blocked the supply of artillery shells from the German concern Rheinmetall’s plant located in the country to Poland.

The sources of the Polish edition of Rzeczpospolita, who said that the government of South Africa did not want these munitions to get to Ukraine, reported on this.

According to the publication, 50,000 155-mm shells were ordered by Warsaw to replenish its stockpile in 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Poland did not receive them.

The shells were to be manufactured by the South African company Rheinmetall Denel Munition, which is 51% owned by German Rheinmetall.

The National Armaments Agency told the publication that the contract had been terminated in July 2023 “due to problems with the project implementation by the subcontractor.”

Production of 155-mm shells at Rheinmetall Denel Munition in South Africa. Frame from the Rheinmetall videoAccording to Rzeczpospolita, Poland can produce only 30,000 shells a year, provided that subcontractors, mainly from Slovakia, fulfill their obligations in full.

At the same time, the publication notes that Poland needs at least one million rounds of 155-mm ammunition to effectively defend itself against a potential Russian attack.

In March 2023, the government approved a secret decree to expand the production and purchase of ammunition, the article says.

Warsaw is currently buying artillery shells from South Korea, and an artillery plant may be built in Poland.

Last year, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said that South Africa had supplied Russia with arms and ammunition.

South Africa responded that it had found no evidence of arms shipments to Russia.

As previously reported, German defense giant Rheinmetall has acquired a majority stake in the business of Resonant Holdings Ltd, a leading South African specialist in plant engineering for chemical applications.