Munitions

DM121 155 mm high-explosive shell

Also known as
  • DM 121
  • DM-121
  • DM121 HE

The DM121 is Rheinmetall's German 155 mm high-explosive shell for NATO-standard tube artillery. Official releases describe an insensitive round with several kilos of explosive, 30 km reach from the PzH 2000, and German government call-offs that included Ukraine-destined DM121 HE ammunition.

DM121 155 mm high-explosive shell, 155 mm high-explosive artillery shell, Munitions
Image source: File:DM121.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Germany
Built by
Rheinmetall
Type
155 mm high-explosive artillery shell

Specifications

Caliber
155 mm
Role
High-explosive artillery shell
Range
Up to 30 km from the PzH 2000
Characteristics
Insensitive shell used for training and exercise
Explosive fill
Several kilos of high-performance explosive
Accuracy
About 85% of rounds land within a football-pitch-sized area at maximum range
Target effect
Rheinmetall says the shell can breach a 30 cm reinforced-concrete wall with limited residual fragmentation behind the wall
Operating temperature
-46 C to +63 C
Firing Platforms

Rheinmetall ties the DM121 to the PzH 2000, and reporting from Ukraine links German DM121 shells to Bohdana self-propelled howitzers.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
PzH 2000, 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, ArtilleryPzH 2000155 mm self-propelled howitzer

Rheinmetall says the DM121 reaches up to 30 km when fired from the PzH 2000, while its artillery overview says the PzH 2000 can lob NATO shells up to 30 km.

Sources: Major Bundeswehr order, PzH 2000 range dominance

2S22 Bohdana, 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer, Artillery2S22 Bohdana155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer

Army Recognition reports that Ukrainian forces have employed German DM121 shells in connection with Bohdana self-propelled howitzers.

Sources: Army Recognition Ukrainian DM121 use

Documented Facts

Rheinmetall's releases and Ukraine-focused reporting place the DM121 in a clear service niche: a 155 mm high-explosive shell for NATO-standard artillery, German framework procurement, and Ukraine-destined ammunition call-offs.

FactDetailSource
RoleInsensitive high-explosive shell used for training and exerciseMajor order for artillery shells from Bundeswehr
RangeUp to 30 km when fired from the PzH 2000Major Bundeswehr order
Explosive fillSeveral kilos of high-performance explosiveMajor Bundeswehr order
AccuracyAbout 85% of rounds land within a football-pitch-sized area at maximum rangeMajor Bundeswehr order
Target effectRheinmetall says the shell can breach a 30 cm reinforced-concrete wall with limited residual fragmentation behind itMajor Bundeswehr order
Operating envelopeRheinmetall lists operation from -46 C to +63 CMajor Bundeswehr order
ProductionRheinmetall Waffe Munition produces the 155 mm ammunition in UnterlüssMajor Bundeswehr order
Ukraine supplyRheinmetall says a 2023 German government call-off included additional DM121 HE rounds for UkraineThird Ukraine DM121 call-off
Reported combat useArmy Recognition reports Ukrainian forces employing German DM121 shells with Bohdana artilleryArmy Recognition Ukrainian DM121 use

Sources: Major Bundeswehr order; Major order for artillery shells from Bundeswehr; Third Ukraine DM121 call-off; Army Recognition Ukrainian DM121 use.

Timeline

DM121 155 mm high-explosive shell Key Events

  1. First Bundeswehr batch ordered

    Rheinmetall says the 2019 framework contract followed a first Bundeswehr batch of 30,000 DM121 rounds procured in 2009.

    Sources: Major Bundeswehr order

  2. Major Bundeswehr order announced

    Rheinmetall says the Bundeswehr ordered over 32,000 artillery rounds worth around €109 million, including DM121 shells that can reach 30 km from the PzH 2000.

    Sources: Major Bundeswehr order

  3. Framework contract expanded

    Rheinmetall says the Bundeswehr expanded its DM121 framework agreement to a total value of €246 million and that the shell is used for training and exercise.

    Sources: Major order for artillery shells from Bundeswehr

  4. Ukraine-destined call-off announced

    Rheinmetall says the German government placed a third artillery-ammunition call-off worth a double-digit million-euro amount, including additional DM121 HE rounds earmarked for Ukraine.

    Sources: Third Ukraine DM121 call-off

  5. Reported in Ukrainian combat use

    Army Recognition says Ukrainian forces have employed German DM121 shells with Bohdana self-propelled howitzers.

    Sources: Army Recognition Ukrainian DM121 use

Media

DM121 155 mm high-explosive shell Images

DM121 155 mm high-explosive shell, 155 mm high-explosive artillery shell, Munitions - view 1
Source: File:Rhenmetall ammo.jpg
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Sources

Major Bundeswehr orderPublisher: Rheinmetall | Note: Supports the DM121's 155 mm designation, manufacturer background, range, explosive fill, accuracy, target-effect, operating-temperature, and PzH 2000 firing-platform claims. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Major order for artillery shells from BundeswehrPublisher: Rheinmetall | Note: Supports the DM121's insensitive characteristics, Bundeswehr training and exercise role, and the expanded framework contract. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Third Ukraine DM121 call-offPublisher: Rheinmetall | Note: Supports conflictUsage:2014 Russia-Ukraine War because Rheinmetall says a German government artillery-ammunition call-off included additional DM121 HE rounds earmarked for Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-30File:DM121.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing for the primary DM121 image. | Accessed: 2026-06-30File:Rhenmetall ammo.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing for the gallery image showing Rheinmetall 120 mm and 155 mm ammunition. | Accessed: 2026-06-30PzH 2000 range dominancePublisher: Rheinmetall | Note: Supports the PzH 2000's quoted NATO-shell range and extended-range artillery context. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Army Recognition Ukrainian DM121 usePublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports conflictUsage:2014 Russia-Ukraine War because Army Recognition says Ukrainian forces employed German DM121 shells with Bohdana artillery. | Accessed: 2026-06-30