Germany's Rheinmetall on Monday announced it will provide the U.S. Air Force with ammunition for F-35 fighters starting in December.

The order from the U.S. Air Force is worth $6.5 million and covers several 10,000 rounds in four lots, the company said.

"The order is of major strategic significance to Rheinmetall for two reasons," the company said in a press release. "For one thing, the U.S. Air Force is currently procuring the F-35 on a large scale, with 1,200 planes on order. Numerous other nations have opted for the new aircraft as well... For another, the ammunition selected -- the new 25mm x 137 Frangible Armor Piercing -- complements Rheinmetall's existing array of high-performance aircraft ammunition."

Rheinmetall said the order will allow the company to bring its expertise to bear in the field of aircraft armament. "This means that further major orders can be expected, especially since the first user nations are already ordering smaller amounts of this advanced ammunition for testing purposes," the company said.

Rheinmetall's FAP ammunition was developed in conjunction with NATO air forces to provide the F-35 with superior lethality against armored vehicles at extreme slant ranges, as well for use in air-to-air engagements, making the 25mm x 137 FAP a "true all-purpose cartridge."

Manufacture of the ammunition will take place at Rheinmetall Switzerland but the company intends to have the ammunition of possible follow-up contracts assembled in the United States by its Rheinmetall Day & Zimmermann Munitions joint venture.

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