Rheinmetall Acquires Civilian Industrial Site for Military Drone Development

German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has taken over the employees and production facility of the insolvent Leichtwerk AG, Speigel Economy reported Thursday. Leichtwerk AG specialized in light aircraft and drone technology. Forty of its employees have transferred to Rheinmetall to produce military drones.

We have not legally taken over Leichtwerk AG, but we have taken over the majority of the employees, the production facility and the know-how.
—Rheinmetall spokesperson

Strategic expansion: Due to recent developments in modern warfare, Rheinmetall is investing heavily in unmanned aerial systems. In June, the company announced a strategic partnership with United States start-up Anduril Industries to accelerate drone and rocket motor production in Europe. The new site in Braunschweig, Germany, will advance military drone development and testing.

Repurposed industry: Across Germany, civilian industrial sites are being converted for weapons production. Germany is using its economic downturn as an opportunity to lead a surge in European militarization.

Learn more: Watch “Germany Is Preparing for WWIII.”