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Rheinmetall Advances Global Defense Strategy Amid Ethical Scrutiny

The company shifts focus to military production and international partnerships, fueling record profits and ethical debates over arms exports.

Fahnen mit dem Unternehmenslogo vor der Zentrale von Rheinmetall in Düsseldorf.
Im ARD-Talk von Sandra Maischberger diskutierten am Dienstagabend CDU-Außenpolitiker Norbert Röttgen und Linken-Co-Chef Jan van Aken über den Krieg in der Ukraine. Die unterschiedlichen Standpunkte der beiden Politiker sorgten für eine lebhafte Debatte. In einer ruhigen Sekunde wollte Maischberger dann etwas über ein Gerücht über van Aken wissen und fragte ungläubig nach.

Overview

  • Rheinmetall has seen a 1,600% stock surge since 2022, driven by increased NATO and EU defense spending and a record €9.8 billion revenue in 2024.
  • CEO Armin Papperger outlined plans to phase out civilian automotive units and expand military production, projecting a €300–400 billion market by 2030.
  • The firm is strengthening its global footprint with partnerships like Lockheed Martin and Leonardo, while expanding production facilities in Europe, the U.S., and South Africa.
  • Ethical concerns intensify as shareholder activists criticize Rheinmetall’s arms exports to authoritarian regimes and call for excess-profit taxes.
  • Public protests and debates grow over the morality of war profiteering, with figures like Jan van Aken using shares to challenge the company’s practices.