Rheinmetall closes shipbuilding deal

Germany’s largest weapons manufacturer completed its purchase of shipbuilder nvl on Saturday. With this acquisition, Rheinmetall will create a “German systems house for the development and manufacture of state-of-the-art navy and coast guard vessels, as well as maritime autonomous surface systems,” according to its Monday press release. Rheinmetall is becoming a “one-stop shop” for weapons systems and platforms; it expects sales in its new shipbuilding division to rise by 30 percent annually. Rheinmetall’s ongoing expansion is concerning to those who remember the firm’s dark history.