For 16 years, Rheinmetall has steadily embedded itself within the United Kingdom’s defense industry. What began as a modest presence has expanded into a major national security vulnerability. This risk is now amplified by Rheinmetall’s rapid ascent in the European defense industry, raising urgent questions about Britain’s military autonomy. This is a complete reversal of the reality Germany faced following its World War ii defeat.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed in 1945 that Germany should undergo a “complete disarmament and demilitarization … and the elimination or control of all German industry that could be used for military production.”

Rheinmetall was one company that was to be dismantled. “But Rheinmetall only stopped producing arms for a short time,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained in “Rising From the Underground.” “In the 1950s, its military branch was revived. Then it grew its exports to gradually build itself into an industrial powerhouse. Today it is preparing to arm a German-led European superpower!”

There is no doubt about Rheinmetall’s absolute loyalty to its fatherland—which makes its infiltration into Britain all the more concerning.

Infiltration

In 2009, Rheinmetall Defense UK Limited was established with the stated goal to “enhance the capabilities of the UK’s armed forces.” Since then, Rheinmetall has become a critical part of the UK’s defense ability.

In 2019, British defense company bae Systems sold a 55 percent controlling share of its Land UK division to Rheinmetall.

Defense News wrote at the time:

bae’s armored-vehicles business in the UK has been in decline for years, partly because the government pursued open-door procurement largely aimed at breaking the British company’s hold on the market. The strategy has altered the face of the British industry landscape. And the latest joint venture deal effectively puts control of Britain’s entire mainstream armored-vehicle design and manufacturing capabilities in foreign hands, with Rheinmetall joining General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin as the key primes in the British sector.

Consider this lunacy: The British government broke up bae’s hold on the market and invited in a World War ii enemy, who is now dominating the European market. Rheinmetall’s share price has increased 20-fold since 2022.

This is even more remarkable if you consider bae System’s history. As Trumpet managing editor Richard Palmer wrote in 2012:

bae is literally the stuff of legends. The names of the planes manufactured by the companies that eventually merged to form the conglomerate have been stamped on the minds of generations of young boys: the Sopwith Camel, the De Havilland Mosquito, the Hawker Hurricane, the Harrier jump jet, and the most legendary of Britain’s airplanes, the Supermarine Spitfire.

Just over 60 years ago, the Spitfire and Hurricane were used to save Britain. These two planes denied Germany the air superiority it needed to launch an invasion. Now Britain is planning to hand over the company that saved its life to a foreign conglomerate.

In 1999, British Aerospace merged with Marconi Electronic Systems into bae Systems. Marconi Electronic Systems also helped fend off Germany in World War ii. But now Britain’s World War ii enemy is ending this history through well-calculated infiltration.

Vital to Britain’s National Security

Rheinmetall’s website states that it works in “close collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence.” It claims to show a “long-term commitment to the future of UK defense while continuing to take responsibility in a changing world.”

But consider the practical implications. Rheinmetall partners with bae to deliver Boxer trucks and Challenger 3 tanks, “Europe’s most lethal tanks,” to the British Army. This gives it responsibility for Britain’s defense systems against a ground invasion and insight into some of Britain’s most important weapons systems.

After the UK Defense Ministry announced its plan to buy more Boxer armored vehicles on June 7, 2021, Rheinmetall ceo Armin Papperger said, “We are proud to now be taking responsibility for one of the UK’s most significant army armament programs at this cradle of British combat vehicle manufacturing.”

After the first British-made Boxer vehicle was unveiled in January, Maria Eagle, minister for defense procurement and industry, said: “It was a pleasure to unveil the first fully British-made Boxer—a testament to the expertise and innovation of Britain’s growing defense industry.”

John Abunassar, ceo of Rheinmetall in the UK, added: “The unveiling of the first British-made Boxer is a historic moment for UK defense manufacturing. It not only symbolizes the return of armored vehicle production to British soil, but also underscores Rheinmetall’s commitment to delivering sovereign capability, innovation and economic prosperity for the UK. Boxer is more than a vehicle—it’s a future force enabler, ensuring the British Army is ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges while delivering real benefits today.”

In March 2024, Rheinmetall opened its first divisional headquarters outside of Germany: Rheinmetall House in Bristol, England. The new headquarters includes a Collaboration and Innovation Center, coordinating with locations in London, Telford, Newcastle, Bovington and the Isle of Wight.

Step by step, Rheinmetall is becoming integral to British defense.

On Oct. 23, 2024, Britain and Germany signed the landmark Trinity House Agreement that paved the way for a new Rheinmetall artillery gun barrel factory in the UK. The British government noted it marked the first time in 10 years that artillery gun barrels were manufactured in Britain.

In May, it was announced that Rheinmetall chose Telford, England, as the location for the factory. The facility “will directly support the army’s future force structure and readiness for modern conflict,” Rheinmetall’s website states.

“This isn’t just an investment—it’s a statement,” Papperger said. “We’re delivering the infrastructure, the technology and the ambition to place the UK at the forefront of global defense manufacturing. With the location now confirmed and critical equipment already on order, Rheinmetall is moving at pace to turn vision into reality.”

The press release concludes: “This is more than a facility. It is a foundation for the future of British defense.” Yet nobody appears concerned with the UK entrusting Rheinmetall with its national security.

You could say, Since Brits are still driving the tanks, the national security risk is minimal. However, in the world of digitalization and cyberwarfare, this reasoning could prove fatal. Who can guarantee these tanks will roll if Germany attacks Britain again?

But it gets worse. In some cases, Brits are not even driving the tanks.

In cooperation with Rheinmetall, the British Ministry of Defense is experimenting with unmanned vehicles. In 2022, the British Army ordered four Rheinmetall Mission Master SP designed for surveillance purposes and three designed to transport cargo. Previously the UK procured eight Mission Masters developed by Rheinmetall Canada.

These vehicles are designed to operate in a “wolf pack” concept. Rheinmetall’s website explains:

The wolf pack consists of a team of Mission Master vehicles working together to accomplish missions ranging from surveillance to target position transfer and slew-to-cue. The units communicate with each other using their advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to maintain rich situational awareness. The wolf pack is remotely managed by a single operator, who is thereby able to focus on a successful mission outcome rather than on individual ugv [unmanned ground vehicle] tasks. This unique capability is enabled by the Rheinmetall Command and Control Software.

Rheinmetall Canada’s successful bid for Spiral 3 demonstrates further proof of the British Army’s trust in the Canada-based branch of the Rheinmetall group, one of Europe’s leading defense suppliers.

Additional versions of the Mission Master vehicles include armed reconnaissance and fire support. If the UK is happy with the current experimentation phase, it may soon deploy a wolf pack of Mission Masters to defend its territory.

But the one controlling the AI of this wolf pack is the same company that swore revenge on Britain when defeat drew near in World War ii. Mr. Flurry explained:

Toward the end of World War ii, Nazi leaders and industrialists got together to prepare for an inevitable military loss. A French spy attended one of these meetings and leaked the details to the Allies. The meeting was held on Aug. 10, 1944, in the Hotel Rotes Haus in Strasbourg, France. Among the industrial leaders present was a representative of Rheinmetall. …

Only in 1996—after Germany had remilitarized and reunified—did the [United States] declassify the information. By that point, most of the world didn’t care. …

Notice what the British Daily Mail wrote about it in 2009: “The paper is aged and fragile, the typewritten letters slowly fading. But U.S. Military Intelligence report EW-Pa 128 is as chilling now as the day it was written in November 1944.”

Chilling indeed! And it is even more so if you understand that these secret plans have been meticulously carried out and are about to affect our whole world! Why don’t the media report on it?

The day after Germany surrendered in World War ii, Herbert W. Armstrong warned: “We don’t understand German thoroughness. From the very start of World War ii, they have considered the possibility of losing this second round, as they did the first—and they have carefully, methodically planned, in such eventuality, the third round—World War iii!”

If Britain faced the truth, it would see it has opened the door to a bloodthirsty enemy. This truth is not just based on a secret meeting, but on the more sure word of Bible prophecy.

In an end-time prophecy in Isaiah 10, God calls the Assyrians—modern Germany—His corrective rod to punish the modern nations of Israel, including Britain. (Request a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy for proof.) Verse 6 reveals Germany will “tread them down like the mire of the streets.”

The Bible reveals this military invasion will be preceded by a colossal betrayal. Ephraim in prophecy refers to modern Britain; there are numerous prophecies of it being betrayed by a supposed ally. “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound” (Hosea 5:13).

As crises intensify, Britain will trust Germany and its military industry. In “Germany Is Betraying Britain—Again” Mr. Flurry wrote in 2012:

America and Britain have convinced themselves that they have a wonderful friendship with the Germans. But is it true? If you see what just happened to Britain, you know it is not true!

Verse 9 [of Ezekiel 23] reveals the terrifying outcome of this immoral relationship: “Wherefore I have delivered her [Aholah, representing America and Britain] into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians [Germany], upon whom she doted.”

In a small way, this has already happened to Britain. But you watch as this prophecy is fulfilled completely: It is about to get far, far worse.

Churchill often warned of Germany’s history of surprise attacks—but prophecy reveals the biggest attack is yet to come. Despite Germany’s history, the world will be caught off guard.

Isaiah 10:5 reveals that God is using Germany to correct His sinful people. Through these events, God will bring all mankind to repentance. This truth is explained in Mr. Armstrong’s book The United States and Britain in Prophecy.