HANOVER (dpa-AFX) - Despite growing demand for weaponry, the German defense industry is capable of quickly expanding production, according to Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger. "It is feasible, and I see no problem with it," he stated during a panel discussion at the Hannover Messe. Provided the orders are placed, German industry will be able to deliver. He noted that his company has already demonstrated this capability in its automotive supplier division, and the same will now apply to the defense sector.
Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, his company has already increased artillery ammunition production more than tenfold. "We are talking about massive investments." Papperger added that his company made some of these investments without a written contract, "on a handshake basis," with the formal agreement following later. "When we have that level of trust, we can achieve speed."
High pace - lower prices
Speed is essential, he argued. For too long, reliance was placed solely on nuclear deterrence, "and we did too little in the conventional sector," the Rheinmetall chief said. Now, the industry has had to learn to pivot in a short space of time. Weaponry technology in particular is evolving rapidly, for instance through the use of drones. The industry must react quickly to this and accelerate technological development.
Regarding the prices paid by the Bundeswehr, Papperger expressed confidence that they will fall. "I believe that prices will go down." He explained that with the influx of orders from Germany and other European nations, volumes will rise, thereby driving down costs. This trend is already visible in artillery ammunition, which is now cheaper than it was five or six years ago thanks to high production volumes.
The Rheinmetall CEO's appearance was interrupted several times by hecklers. Right at the start, there were chants such as "Never again war" and "Never again conscription." Several protesters were carried out of the event area by security personnel.
Defense takes center stage for the first time
At the trade fair, Rheinmetall is demonstrating, among other things, how vehicles can be remote-controlled from great distances. A driving station has been set up at the exhibition stand in Hanover as a control center, from which a vehicle at the company's headquarters in Düsseldorf is being operated in real time.
The topic of defense is represented at the Hannover Messe this year with its own dedicated focus for the first time. In the so-called Defense Production Park, around 40 companies are showcasing solutions for the rapid scale-up of defense production across 1,200 square meters.
On Monday, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had already visited the industrial show. For the trade fair organizers, the new section also serves as a preview of the security and defense exhibition Defence & Security Equipment International Germany, which is scheduled to take place in Hanover for the first time in March 2027./fjo/DP/he
