Verified
Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd (RDM) develops, designs and manufactures large- and medium-calibre ammunition, and describes itself as a world leader in artillery, mortar and infantry systems and in munitions plant engineering. Rheinmetall Waffe Munition of Germany owns 51% of RDM, and South Africa’s state-owned Denel owns 49%. RDM’s head office is in Somerset West.
- Registered name
- Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd (RDM)
- Type
- Private company (ammunition manufacturing, Rheinmetall and Denel joint venture)
- Fields funded
- Chemical, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical and mechatronic engineering
- Phone
- 021 850 2911
Formed from four Denel divisions
RDM was established on 1 September 2008, when the Denel divisions Somchem, Swartklip, Naschem and Boksburg became part of the Rheinmetall Group. Rheinmetall focuses mainly on NATO countries, while RDM serves Asia, the Middle East, South America, South Africa and the rest of Africa.
A long industrial history
Each RDM site has deep roots. Armscor bought Somchem, with sites in Somerset West and Wellington, from AECI in 1971. Swartklip Products grew out of the Ronden Manufacturing Company, a fireworks maker founded in 1948 whose pyrotechnics led to railway signalling detonators and military products. Naschem, at Boskop near Potchefstroom, began as the Lenz explosives depot for gold mines in 1896 and produced 25 million pieces of ammunition for the North African campaign in World War II. Denel bought the Boksburg plant, which forges shell bodies and metal components, from Cemenco Holdings in 1996.
World records in artillery
Rheinmetall set three world records at a test firing in South Africa. A G6 howitzer with a 52-calibre gun fired a conventional 155 mm artillery round 76 kilometres, the longest range ever achieved with such a round, while a PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer reached 67 kilometres. The provider record, checked in August 2026, notes RDM’s aggressive growth strategy, driven by rising global demand for ammunition.
The RDM bursary
RDM’s bursary funds the final years of BEng degrees in chemical, civil, electrical and electronic, and mechanical and mechatronic engineering, covering tuition and study costs, with vacation work at RDM’s plants. Applicants entering third or fourth year need at least 75%. Bursars may be offered a place on RDM’s Engineering Graduate Programme, which RDM presents as an opportunity rather than a bonded obligation. RDM has closed past rounds in October.
How to research RDM
Search the Rheinmetall careers portal for RDM adverts, and consider the ethical side of defence work before applying. Defence employers may require security vetting.
See the Armscor bursary for another defence funder.
🎓 Download Our Bursary Application Checklist
Download our free Application Checklist to make sure you do not miss any required documents. Submitting a complete application is key to being shortlisted.
📥 Download Checklist (PDF)