Rheinmetall and General Atomics to Explore Vektrex Ammunition Co-production

German defense contractor Rheinmetall and U.S. company General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) have signed a Memorandum of Intent to explore the co-production of the Vektrex, a maneuverable 155mm guided artillery projectile. The initiative aims to enhance artillery capabilities within NATO.

The agreement comes amid increased global demand for defense manufacturing, as nations seek to replenish depleted munition stocks and modernize their forces. Vektrex is designed to extend the range and effectiveness of artillery units, integrating into existing 155mm artillery systems with caliber 39 and 52.

Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, and Roman Koehne, CEO of Rheinmetall's Weapon and Ammunition division, signed the agreement at Eurosatory 2026. The collaboration leverages GA-EMS's investments in precision munition development and scalable manufacturing, combined with Rheinmetall's production expertise and NATO-compliant infrastructure.

According to the companies, Vektrex offers a two to threefold increase in range compared to conventional artillery projectiles and is presented as a more cost-effective alternative to tactical rocket systems. This co-production effort is intended to strengthen supply chains, accelerate deployment timelines, and foster industrial participation among allied nations.