A series of strategic initiatives sets Rheinmetall (Germany), with the aim of turning into a single one-stop-shop that will cover Europe’s growing needs for defense. This was revealed today (9.9.25) by the Managing Director of the German Armed Systems Company, Armin Papperger, in an interview.
As part of this strategy, Rheinmetall (Germany) is preparing to enter the shipbuilding industry with the aim of constructing defense systems at sea. Papegher has confirmed that the company is in advanced talks on the acquisition of Naval Vessels Luerssen (NVL), the Bremen -based shipbuilding company, adding that he is “very convinced” that he can reach an agreement in the coming weeks, according to Bloomberg.
The company is also ready to sell Skyranger Air Mobile Systems in Ukraine and plans to build ATACMS and Hellfire missiles in Germany in Germany with Lockheed Martin partner, Papperger told London’s Defense Defense Exhibition.
At the same time, the CEO confirmed the plans for the sale of Rheinmetall’s political business in the first quarter of 2026 as it creates a “one-stop-shop” for land, sea and air defense.
“What we want to do is to create management centers, create rocket systems, create launchers, create simulation systems, and want to grow in this area,” said Papperger.
Rheinmetall is a critical partner for Ukraine, mainly in providing ammunition in its attempt to repel Russia’s invasion. Based on the experience of war, Europe would be “well prepared for a collision” if it could increase the production of 155mm ammunition in about 3 million cartridges a year by current 2 million cartridges, the CEO said.
As part of its presence at DSEI, Rheinmetall will sign a contract worth about € 500 million ($ 587 million) for the supply of Skyranger systems to Ukraine, with the aim of delivering three to five points by the end of the year, Papperger said. He added that he wants to increase Rheinmetall’s ability to build Skyranger to 200 systems a year. Skyranger is also part of the European Sky Shield Initiative air defense alliance.
Papperker also told Bloomberg that the German defense company would deepen its existing partnership with Lockheed Martin, producing ATACMS and Hellfire missiles in its plant in Northern German Underlies. “In 15, 16 months, we are ready to produce ATACMS here in Europe,” Papperger said.
Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest defensive contractor, is a central factor in Europe’s attempt to boost its defense industry and become less dependent on the US for security. The company, which supplies weapons ranging from ammunition to battle tanks and armored vehicles, is also active in aviation. It recently opened a factory in Weeze, near the German border with the Netherlands, where it produces the central part of the fuselage for Lockheed’s F-35 fighter aircraft.
Rheinmetall is also working with Leonardo Spa to build battle tanks, as larger players establish Europe’s diverse sector of land equipment. Leonardo buys Iveco Group NV’s assets and said in July that it plans to discuss with Rheinmetall how to share the newly acquired Italian assets, with the aim of reaching an agreement by the end of the year.
The German defense giant is expanding rapidly inside and outside Germany, having opened the largest 155mm ammunition plant in Epirus last month in Unterluss. He recently announced large projects to build ammunition and gunpowder plants in Romania and Bulgaria, with the aim of increasing his presence in Eastern Europe.