Germany boosts arsenal with major DM51 grenade agreement
Germany signed an agreement to supply 2.45 million DM51 hand grenades from Diehl Defence. Here’s an introduction to the dual-function DM51 grenades.
According to the portal ESUT, the Bundeswehr, after obtaining approval from the Bundestag’s budgetary committee, signed a framework agreement with Diehl Defence to supply up to 2.45 million DM51 grenades along with DM82 fuses. Under the agreement, 557,400 grenades are expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2027.
€45.4 (CAD 71) million has been allocated from the Bundeswehr’s special fund for this purpose. The framework agreement is valid until 2031, although its total budget is not specified. It is estimated that the total cost could be at least €155 (CAD 242) million.
DM51 grenades - a two-in-one solution
DM51 grenades are versatile German hand grenades that can function both offensively and defensively. Produced by Diehl, they have been the standard equipment of the Bundeswehr since 1974. The grenades consist of three parts: a fragmentation jacket, an offensive grenade, and a DM82 fuse with a delay of 3 to 5 seconds.
The DM51 grenades weigh about 140 grams in the offensive version and approximately 430 grams with the fragmentation jacket. The offensive version is cylindrical and contains 60 grams of PETN, which is more powerful than TNT.
The lethal range of the offensive version is about 10 metres, and with the jacket attached, the fragmentation range extends up to 100 metres, making them effective in various combat scenarios. It is also worth mentioning that converting the DM51 grenade to the desired function takes minimal time.
DM51 grenades have also reached Ukraine, where, due to their modularity, they are highly praised by soldiers and considered among the best types they have received. They allow for efficient "clearing" of Russian trenches during assaults and are effective in defending positions against masses of Russian infantry or soldiers from North Korea.
