A place in the sun
2. September 2025
TechnologyInnovationTime leap
From exporter to global player
4. September 2025
Rheinmetall exported its first products at the end of the 19th century. Today, the technology and defence corporation generates about 70 percent of its sales abroad. An excursion through the eventful history of Rheinmetall’s internationalisation.
Popular rapid-fire gun
While the High Command of the German Army initially decided against purchasing Rheinmetall’s innovative recoilless gun around 1900, the 7.5 cm field gun was in high demand internationally. Alongside Norway and the USA, Great Britain was among the first buyers. The advantage was that soldiers no longer had to reposition the gun after firing, which allowed a much higher firing rate per minute compared to static field guns.
Made in Germany
During the first wave of globalisation at the end of the 19th century, Germany was already one of the most active national economies on the global market. The label ‘Made in Germany’ dates back to this period. Originally introduced by the British government in 1887 to protect its own industry, it is now a globally recognised seal of quality.
A global gathering in Unterlüß
Built in 1899 specifically for foreign customers, the firing range in Unterlüß quickly became a magnet for high-ranking military personnel from all over the world. Even a Chinese delegation visited the test site to see the quality of Rheinmetall products for themselves before placing an order.
Rheinmetall acquired its first foreign holdings in Switzerland and the Netherlands. There, the company manufactured and sold weapons for which it did not have production permits within the German Reich under the Treaty of Versailles. Over nine decades later, the technology corporation is now operating in 32 countries with subsidiaries, joint ventures, and holdings.
During the World War I and in the 1920s, exports collapsed. After having taken over the Tegel plant from the Borsig family in 1933, the portfolio was expanded to include an extensive mechanical engineering business. Heating boiler systems, refrigeration technology and compressors were among the new products for which Rheinmetall was receiving many orders from abroad. At the same time, arms exports increased. Under Nazi rule, Rheinmetall-Borsig mainly supplied allied countries such as Japan, Romania, Italy and Spain, officially being neutral.
After World War II, civil engineering and electrical engineering initially dominated business abroad. Following the acquisitions of Pierburg (1986) and Kolbenschmidt (1997), and the strategic focus on the automotive market, Rheinmetall’s international presence reached a new dimension. Exports of defence equipment remained low until the end of the Cold War due to the War Weapons Control Act. Alongside its main customer, the Bundeswehr, mainly NATO countries were placing orders at the Düsseldorf-based defence and technology corporation until 1991.
Export hit HS 820
One of the products that achieved considerable success abroad during this period was the 20 mm HS 820 cannon. Further developed into the Rh 202, this weapon has been in effective in service since 1964 as an on-board cannon on infantry fighting vehicles, ships, and helicopters. From 1967 onwards, the cannon has also been used by the US armed forces.
of total exports were accounted for by defence technology for the first time in 1998. The portfolio has continued to expand: in addition to rifles, ammunition and artillery, Rheinmetall has been manufacturing land vehicles since 1992, defence electronics since 1997, and air defence products since 1999. Today, the globally active corporation is among the largest defence companies in Europe.
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