Dominican Republic to Launch Domestic Ammunition Production
The Dominican Republic is set to revive its ammunition manufacturing sector, which had been dormant since the closure of its last major production facility in the 1990s. The Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of a new ammunition assembly plant in San Cristóbal, marking a significant step towards achieving self-sufficiency in military and civilian ammunition production.
Managed by the Dominican Military Industry (IMDOM), this project is part of a broader military technology hub that commenced with its first phase in May 2025. The site has already been producing tactical armored vehicles, including the domestically designed Level 3 armored vehicles known as FURIA. In addition to armored vehicles, the facility also assembles ambulances and vehicles designed for secure transport.
According to Lieutenant General Carlos Fernández Onofre, the Minister of Defense, the new facility aims to supply 100% of the military, as well as the hunting and sport shooting sectors. Targeting operational readiness by the end of 2026, the schedule was accelerated due to specialized military engineering resources and budgetary revisions.
The ammunition plant will primarily manufacture small and medium caliber ammunition to support national defense and sporting activities. While specific details regarding production remain confidential due to security concerns, the plant will focus on several standard calibers needed by Dominican institutions.
For military applications, the facility will produce 5.56×45mm NATO rounds for the Armed Forces’ newly acquired assault rifles and machine guns. Additionally, 7.62×51mm NATO rounds will be manufactured for precision rifles and support weapons. These calibers are also used for testing locally produced ballistic armor.
For law enforcement and security needs, the factory will produce 9×19mm Parabellum rounds, which are widely used in popular pistol and submachine gun brands in the country, including Glock and Taurus. Moreover, the factory will cater to the hunting community by producing popular calibers like 12 gauge and .22 Long Rifle, which are essential for hunting and sport shooting activities.
This new production capability is expected to reduce ammunition costs by over 25% compared to importing, bolstering the Dominican Republic’s security and economic independence.
