Rheinmetall CEO says German firm ‘days’ away from local shipbuilder takeover
Germany’s Rheinmetall is close to acquiring local shipbuilder Naval Vessels Luerssen (NVL) to enter the naval sector and tap into major German and European market opportunities, according to CEO Armin Papperger at the DSEI trade show. The move aims to leverage NVL’s strong order book and shipyards in Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, and Wolgast to integrate missile, launch, simulation, and electronic warfare technologies into naval platforms, while NVL shifts focus toward luxury yacht production. NVL is currently building three Type 424 intelligence ships for the German Navy and expanding autonomous vessel production through a joint venture with the UK’s Kraken Technology Group. The acquisition aligns with Rheinmetall’s broader diversification strategy, which has recently seen the company expand into the space domain and unveil a new missile-equipped tank destroyer in partnership with Lockheed Martin.