All articles tagged with #rheinmetall
Germany has formally abandoned plans to directly procure the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, delaying its collaborative combat aircraft program. Berlin now faces a competitive selection process with flight tests starting in 2027, pushing operational deployment to the early 2030s.
Western intelligence agencies warn that Russia is intensifying assassination plots against European defence executives to disrupt support for Ukraine. The GRU is using organized crime networks and cross-border cells to target leaders of major arms firms and smaller drone manufacturers. While some plots have been thwarted, the psychological impact aims to deter European companies from supplying Kyiv, prompting increased private security measures across the sector.
The U.S. Air Force is seeking affordable, mobile gun systems to defend overseas bases from drones and cruise missiles, a capability previously held by the Army. This move follows gaps exposed during the Iran conflict and aims to reduce reliance on expensive interceptors.
Germany reportedly plans to scrap the 12.8 billion euro F126 frigate program in favor of eight smaller Meko A-200 ships, a shift that sparked a selloff in defense stocks led by Rheinmetall (down as much as 14%). The move dims expectations that higher government spending will lift the sector and complicates Germany’s goal of a stronger conventional army by 2039.
Berlin has scrapped the €12.8bn F126 frigate program—the German navy’s largest postwar warship project—after delays and cost overruns, opting to buy eight Meko frigates instead; the change shifts lead contractor duties away from Damen Naval to Rheinmetall, prompting a roughly €2bn write-off and a dent to defence industry expectations amid NATO priority on sea-based anti-submarine warfare.
At the ILA Berlin Air Show, Boeing Australia and Rheinmetall unveiled the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as part of Germany’s push to field a Collaborative Combat Aircraft alongside manned aircraft, with negotiations aiming for a German CCA by 2029 and a potential final contract stage next year. Other vendors, including Helsing with its CA-1EA/KA and Airbus with the Ravenstorm concept, as well as General Atomics, showcased competing CCAs, underscoring a crowded, multinational bid to equip the German air force with advanced unmanned wingmen.
An opinion piece argues that Ukraine’s low-cost, scalable drones represent a battlefield revolution driven by application, scalability, and adaptability rather than groundbreaking physics. It critiques Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger for dismissing Ukrainian drones, emphasizing the gap between industrial claims and frontline realities. The author notes that certification cannot replace effectiveness in war, highlights Ukrainian manufacturers and licensing realities, and points to Gulf states investing in Kyiv’s drone tech, signaling a shift in defense collaboration and strategy.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger sparked social media criticism by claiming Ukraine's drone program is 'made by housewives,' prompting accusations of gender stereotyping even as Ukraine continues to develop unmanned systems, with drone training visible near Kyiv amid ongoing conflict.
Zelenskyy criticized Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger’s sexist remark about Ukraine’s drone program, saying that if every housewife can make drones, every housewife could run Rheinmetall, and praising Kyiv’s world-class defense industry; Rheinmetall later said it respects Ukraine’s defence sector, while Ukraine expands drone production and European collaboration.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger likened Ukrainian drone makers to
Ukraine condemned Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger's remark that Kyiv's drone program is amateurish and built by 'housewives' with '3-D printers,' arguing that civilian-led innovation and battlefield results demonstrate the drones' value; Ukrainian officials and defense industry figures defended the program while Rheinmetall issued a conciliatory statement praising Ukraine's resolve and support.
Rheinmetall expects 2026 sales to rise 40-45% to 14-14.5 billion euros, backed by an order backlog that could reach about 135 billion euros; 2025 revenue rose 29% to 9.94 billion euros with an expected operating margin around 19% in 2026. The growth is driven by higher missile restocking and air‑defense spending amid European security tensions, though the stock fell on the guidance.
Germany-funded batch of five Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks for evaluation, marking Kyiv's next step in testing the platform after a late-2024 demonstration; the Ukraine-specific KF41 variant features a two-person Lance turret and could lead to larger orders or even local production, signaling Berlin's continued military support for Kyiv and Rheinmetall's export-led strategy.
Germany has opened Europe's largest munitions factory in Lower Saxony, signaling a rapid increase in arms production to support Ukraine and NATO, with plans to produce 350,000 rounds annually from 2027 and expand manufacturing in Eastern Europe. Defense Minister Pistorius highlighted the factory's role in boosting Ukraine's resilience and discussed ongoing cooperation, potential inclusion of long-range missiles in security guarantees, and the possibility of reinstating military conscription if volunteer recruitment falls short. Germany aims to train nearly 110,000 reservists by 2029, reflecting a strategic shift in its defense posture.
Rheinmetall has opened a new artillery ammunition factory in Germany, aiming to produce 155 mm shells at a capacity of 350,000 units annually by 2027 to meet high demand, especially from Ukraine. The €500 million facility expansion signifies Europe's efforts to bolster munitions stockpiles amid ongoing conflicts, with NATO officials attending the opening. Rheinmetall's stock has surged significantly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reflecting increased investor interest in defense companies.