Turkey’s well-established defence industry establishment, the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE), continues to transfer its production capability to allied countries by increasing its effectiveness in the international arena. MKE will build a turnkey cartridge production facility in Europe within the scope of the agreement signed with Kosovo.
Annual Capacity of 20 Million Units Facility to be Completed in 2026
Following the completion and inauguration of facilities in Jordan and Mongolia, MKE is realising its third major project in this field in Kosovo. According to the signed agreement, a ‘Conversion Cartridge Production Line’ with an annual production capacity of 20 million cartridges (5.56mm x 45 and 7.62mm x 51) will be established at the facility. The project is planned to be completed in 2026.
MKE will provide casings and bullet production machines, a marking and assembly line, laboratory and test equipment for the facility. An important detail that distinguishes the project from others is that MKE will also undertake the construction of the buildings where the cartridge production will be carried out upon the request of the Kosovo government. The facility will be handed over to the Kosovo government ready for production (turnkey). In addition, production, maintenance-repair trainings and technical assistance services will be provided by MKE personnel.
MKE’s Global Production Network Expands
Sharing its high-tech production infrastructure with friendly and allied countries, MKE currently continues its activities for the establishment of cartridge, weapon assembly and ammunition filling assembly facilities in 8 different countries around the world.
As part of these international efforts, last September, the cartridge production line project in Mongolia was successfully completed and all acceptance procedures were finalised. This increase in MKE’s production capacity on a global scale not only expands areas of economic cooperation, but also contributes to regional security. MKE is also continuing its negotiations for the establishment of the production capacity required by Poland, and states that the proposal to establish a factory in Poland for the production of 155 mm howitzer ammunition is at the final stage.
