Italy selects Rheinmetall 40mm infantry ammunition
Rheinmetall will supply the Italian armed forces with more than 50,000 rounds of enhanced-performance 40mm x 53 war shot ammunition under a new €8.7 million contract announced on 8 March. Italy joins Canada and Denmark as the third NATO nation to equip its armed forces with the ammunition.
The 40mm x 53 High Velocity High Explosive Dual Purpose Insensitive Munition with Electronic Self Destruct (HV HEDP IM ESD) is designed for use against semi-hard targets and lightly armoured vehicles at ranges of up to 2,200m. The highly accurate enhanced performance ammunition has been developed for use in automatic grenade launchers such as MK19, MK47 and Heckler & Koch GMG.
According to Rheinmetall, the ammunition features a newly developed shaped charge warhead, and is the only 40mm cartridge on the market today that can penetrate 80 mm of RHA steel. The round also has an insensitive propulsion system; and together with its explosive, the round conforms to the insensitive ammunition criteria contained in STANAG 4439 Level/Reaction Type V. An electronic self-destruct mechanism is another important safety feature, designed to minimise the risk of unexploded duds.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2025)]()
Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2025)
Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2, its variants, its operational service and its future prospects.
-
![World Defense Show 2026 to unite global and local innovation]()
World Defense Show 2026 to unite global and local innovation
Saudi Arabia’s showpiece event for the defence industry will return in 2026 as it attempts to foster global defence collaboration, promote opportunity within the Kingdom and demonstrate technological innovation from across the Middle East.
-
![Canadian Army to progress with ACSV programme in 2025]()
Canadian Army to progress with ACSV programme in 2025
The Armoured Combat Support Vehicle will also achieve several milestones in the coming years.
-
![UK commits $2 billion to Ukraine for missiles as Europe speaks up]()
UK commits $2 billion to Ukraine for missiles as Europe speaks up
The contract builds on a previous contract with Thales which was signed in September 2024 for 650 missiles. Deliveries of these began in late 2024 and the new contract ensures continued supply.
-
![Sweden orders $131 million worth of trucks for armed forces]()
Sweden orders $131 million worth of trucks for armed forces
The deal with Volvo and Scania includes 300 4×4 truck and 300 6×6 trucks, with both orders including options for a further 200 vehicles.
