Wolfram Europa will invest €200 million to build a new explosives and warhead manufacturing complex near Jēkabpils, Latvia, with production scheduled to begin in 2027, the company announced Wednesday. The 40-hectare facility is set to be constructed on land secured through a long-term agreement with Latvia’s State Forests (LVM), according to the company’s announcement.
Investment Details and Production Capacity at the Jēkabpils Complex
Construction and production for the facility are planned to roll out across three phases starting in 2027. Once the complex is fully operational, it is expected to generate around 200 skilled jobs, Wolfram Europa announced. At full capacity, the plant aims to produce up to 300 metric tons of RDX or 100 metric tons of HMX annually. In addition, the site is projected to assemble 100,000 anti-tank mines and 200,000 warheads per year.
Official Response to Latvia Defense Industry Expansion
Latvian Economics Minister Viktors Valainis stated that the investment will strengthen the country’s defense industry. Valainis also noted that the project will create high-value jobs and increase the nation’s industrial capacity. Wolfram Europa CEO Magnus-Valdemar Saar explained that the Jēkabpils site will serve as the company’s first major production location as it works to expand explosives manufacturing capacity throughout Europe.
Addressing Europe’s Explosives Gap
In its press release, Wolfram Europa stated that Europe is producing far from enough explosives and announced its goal to fill that gap by becoming the continent’s largest explosives manufacturer. According to Saar, Europe has steadily scaled back its explosives and ammunition industry over the past 35 years, bringing technological development in the sector to a standstill. Saar added that while Europe is rearming, investment remains focused primarily on platforms and final assembly, creating an explosives gap where weapons production scales up faster than the explosives and warheads required to make those weapons effective.
Future Outlook and Operations
As the project moves toward its initial production phase in 2027, the facility could significantly alter regional manufacturing output. Scaling of the 40-hectare site will depend on regional supply chain developments and the execution of the long-term land agreement with Latvia’s State Forests (LVM).
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