Defence in brief: Nammo to re-establish ammo production at Denmark’s Elling Plant

The Nordic ammunition producer Nammo has been selected by Denmark to re-establish an ammunition production facility at the Elling plant in Jutland, bringing a 55 year hiatus to an end, according to a 28th February Nammo press release. 

The Danish government originally sold the Elling plant in 2008, and by 2020 it was mothballed and owned by a private Spanish company. The plant was bought back by the Danish government in 2023 for around 2.8 million euros and a tender started for the company to re-establish production there. The plant had previously been Denmark’s own manufacturer of ammunition from 1676 until 1968.

The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) released a series of RFIs relating to ammunition production in 2024. The first related to the establishment of a facility that could produce or fill 155 mm and 120 mm ammunition, it also indicated that the ideal supplier would be able to offer the most secure supply for Denmark. The RFI included an ammunition storage agreement and a framework production contract.  The small arms element called for Danish companies to produce small arms ammunition and store it. The final RFI was for stock inventory management and stock management agreements regarding various types of ammunition.

Calibre comment

Denmark donated extensively from its own stocks to support Ukraine, including all of its howitzers and 155 mm ammunition. If it did not have existing framework agreements with ammunition producers, it may have encountered severe delays in replenishing its ammunition stocks as the rest of Europe had placed large orders. The country is taking its defence very seriously and recently announced an additional EUR6 billion to empower rapid procurements, it is working to the assumption that Russia could pose a threat to the West within two years of the war in Ukraine ending. Developments like the Elling Plant will help to provide it with domestic security. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 1st March, 2025.