VW to convert German plant into defense hub with Israeli investor

Volkswagen said it will sell its Osnabrück car plant to the State of Lower Saxony and Tel Aviv‑based Aurelius Capital to convert the site into defense production, with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems tied to the project. The plan could lead to the manufacture of air‑defense components for Germany and Europe and would preserve about 1,400 of the plant’s 1,800 jobs as VW reorganizes under its Future Plan 2030, while four other German plants face possible closures; the deal still requires regulatory approval amid Europe’s push to bolster defense spending.