On October 28, 2025, Rheinmetall signed a €1 billion joint venture agreement with Bulgaria to build an ammunition plant near Sopot, with operations scheduled to begin within 14 months. The facility, which will produce gunpowder and 155-mm artillery shells, aims to meet NATO standards and create approximately 1,000 skilled jobs. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance regional ammunition production in response to increased security concerns following Russia’s actions in Ukraine, reinforcing Bulgaria’s role in NATO’s supply chain. The collaboration underscores the importance of strengthening Europe’s defense industrial base amid rising geopolitical tensions, demonstrating a commitment to bolstering military readiness in Eastern Europe.