Emiliia Khmil fled Ukraine with her mother at the age of 15. “All they had with them was a plastic bag full of clothes”, recalls Frank Lerner, water polo coordinator at SV Blau-Weiß Bochum and head of the high-performance training centre of North Rhine-Westphalia. “That was all they had left after the air raids”. Since the start of the war, the water sports club has taken in many Ukrainian children like Emiliia and helped their families in the various bureaucratic steps. The exceptionally talented young athlete is now 19 years old, a German citizen, a secondary-school student with top grades and the Bundesliga’s leading goalscorer. She has long since developed into one of the key players, not only at SV Blau-Weiß Bochum but also in the national team. “An incredible career”, marvels Lerner, “and a prime example of how sport creates a real sense of home”.

An underrated sport

Team spirit, strategy and physical endurance – water polo combines all of the three. While the sport is considered rather a niche sport in Germany, it generates widespread enthusiasm in other countries. “In Hungary, even training matches attract between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators”, says Frank Lerner, who has played water polo since he was eight years old. Currently, the former Bundesliga player serves as interim coach of SV Blau-Weiß Bochum’s women’s Bundesliga team. The sport requires a great deal from its athletes – but that is exactly what Lerner finds so interesting about it. “Water polo is like wrestling in the water although with more moderate rules”, he concludes. Alongside stamina and strength, tactics, ball skills and considerable resilience also play an important role.

A partner for regional top-class sport

Since last year, Rheinmetall also ranks among the prominent sponsors of this physical team sport. The Düsseldorf-based technology group is involved in many aspects of top-class sport in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. Its partnership with SV Blau-Weiß Bochum 1896 began around the time that Rheinmetall entered the naval sector. Although this is unrelated, it fits in well into the bigger picture. The Bochum-based club is one of the largest and longest-established water sports clubs in Germany. It is represented in all youth leagues at national level, and its first women’s team celebrated a second consecutive runner-up finish in 2026.
The partnership with Rheinmetall helps to further promote the sporting development of the women’s team both in the Bundesliga and at international competitions. Right from the beginning, the club opted for an open communication about its new sponsor. Consequently, the partnership with the defence company received very few critical comments on social media. “The cooperation is based on mutual trust, then and now”, says Lerner.

Developing junior talents for the future

Water polo in Germany is chronically underfunded. To ensure that training and matches can continue in the long term, clubs rely on donations and sponsorship funds. SV Blau-Weiß Bochum is a prime example of a club that makes good use of these funds, as evidenced by its successful youth development programme and the signing of international players. Jana Stüwe, captain of the women’s first team, made her Bundesliga debut for the Bochum club as a teenager. She is now one of Germany’s most successful players and wears the national team jersey alongside Emiliia Khmil.

“For the past two years, our women’s team has again been participating regularly in international tournaments such as the Europa-League”, reports Lerner. This has helped the club make a name for itself also outside Germany. “We receive enquiries from all over the world”, says the water polo coordinator, happily. Since last season, several players from abroad have joined the team. The fact that the young women share a housing community have made them feel at home and appreciated in Bochum right from the start. “We have a great responsibility for the girls”, Lerner clarifies. The club therefore supports them in areas beyond sport as well, organising language courses and helping them to find places to study at one of the nearby universities or universities offering dual-study programmes.

A strong model

Travel and competition costs, clothing and equipment, as well as other resources required at short notice are largely funded by the club’s own support association, Wasserball-Spitzensport in Bochum e. V., which manages all donations and sponsorship funds received by the Bundesliga club. At the same time, the club employs the elite players on a mini-job basis as coaches for its high-performance youth programme. They are required to obtain at least a C-level licence. “Thanks to the financial compensation, the Bundesliga players can focus entirely on their sporting careers alongside school and university”, explains Lerner. “And we have motivated, well-trained coaches for the younger players”. However, the decline in volunteering is also highly noticeable in water polo and finding qualified coaches is becoming increasingly difficult. The water polo coordinator says that the proposed abolition of the special status for marginal employment, which is currently under discussion, could pose further challenges for clubs such as SV Blau-Weiß Bochum.

Without sponsors such as Rheinmetall, none of this would be financially viable. In return, the defence group has a presence at Bundesliga home matches: on advertising banners, in video clips and on the shirts. The sponsorship generates visibility in popular sports and positions Rheinmetall as an attractive employer that assumes social responsibility and promotes young talent. For SV Blau-Weiß Bochum, the partnership provides planning security. And what about the next generation? Junior players in the club’s high-performance programme are already training several times a week at the swimming pool in Bochum. Perhaps some of them will one day wear the national team jersey, just like Jana Stüwe and Emiliia Khmil.

Further information on Rheinmetall’s social engagement can be found here.

You have gone through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Today, you are both cancer-free. The immediate physical strain is now a matter of the past. But how do you cope with the mental pressure and the pressing question: What is going on inside my body?

Julia Stump: It’s a question you can’t shake off. At some point, the physical hardships are behind you, your hair grows back and you look and feel normal again. But the uncertainty remains: what is actually happening inside my body right now? I won’t have that certainty for the rest of my life. But fundamentally, none of us ever does, even without having had cancer.

Eva-Maria Villnow: I could never have imagined the stages you go through. After the initial shock, survival mode kicks in. I had to accept that you find yourself in a completely new world, that you have to readjust and fight. At first, it was all about getting through the first year. After that, a kind of grieving process begins: coming to terms with the illness, the loss of control, and also accepting that trust in your own body doesn’t simply return once treatment ends. I’ve learnt to listen more closely to my body, without immediately interpreting every signal as a threat. No one can be grateful for an illness like this. And yet, I feel grateful for every new day. I now experience life differently, more consciously and with an even greater appreciation for what is there.

Gratitude is not necessarily a word that immediately comes into mind in connection with cancer.

Julia Stump: I agree with everything you’ve said. I think everyone knows that setbacks happen. You fall down, get back up, adjust your crown and carry on. But then you suddenly find that everything is out of hands and that you depend on doctors making the right decisions and that the treatment is taking effect. You realise how little control you often really have. This illness has really sharpened my focus on what’s important in life. I’m grateful for that, and for my Life 2.0.

To what extent has the illness affected your view on life?

Eva-Maria Villnow: I try to take life as it comes. With everything that goes with it – including the cracks. In Japan, there is an art form called kintsugi. Rather than throwing away broken pottery, the individual pieces are put back together and the joints are beautifully highlighted in gold. The repair doesn’t undo the breakage, but it gives the broken piece new sense and a beauty all of its own. This is the attitude with which I look upon my life. My illness is part of my story. Although I wouldn’t call it a gift, it has left its mark and changed my outlook on life. I try not to fight against this imperfection, but to see the beauty and value in it too. This is especially true in areas where life hasn’t turned out the way I’d imagined.

Julia Stump: Our cracks and fractures are part of who we are, and they are allowed to be seen. The shock of the diagnosis ran deep, but my positive view on life was crucial in helping me getting through the treatment. My husband and my children were my greatest sources of both support and motivation.

Have you gained a different perspective on your working life?

Eva-Maria Villnow: Yes, I’m grateful to be part of a team whose members are there for one another in difficult times and support each other. This sense of connection means a great deal to me. I now have a clearer idea of what work means to me and how much I value having a sense of purpose. I want to make a difference and give something back – and where would it be better than in occupational health management?

How did your team react to the diagnosis? How did your supervisor react?

Julia Stump: Right from the start, I wanted to continue working, and that’s exactly what I managed to do. My supervisor and my colleagues were always there to support me. My work gave me great stability and structure, as well as a sense of purpose.

Did you have the impression that people were insecure of how to react? In your view, is breast cancer still associated with shame or discomfort about this issue?

Julia Stump: Yes, for many people the subject is still a taboo. Telling others about the illness triggers a lot of emotions. Never in my life have I brought so many people close to me to tears. For me, it wasn’t a taboo to talk about it; on the contrary, being open about it helped me a lot. Nevertheless, cancer is still associated with shame. I find that completely incomprehensible.

What got you through this period of uncertainty and helped you cope with the fear of not making it?

Eva-Maria Villnow: For me, it was mainly my daughters, my female friends, my dog and nature. What has remained to this day is the desire to create new moments each day that make me feel alive: to travel, to meet people, to learn languages and to keep discovering new things. Everything that connects me to life and the people around me.

What support did you find at Rheinmetall? Was there a network or did you have specific points of contact within the company?

Julia Stump: Besides my supervisor, who supported me with great empathy, ViVa family service was an important point of contact. They offer help in many different situations, such as with childcare, caring for relatives or dealing with cancer. I also really appreciated having the option of contacting the company’s social counsellors.

Many people remain silent for fear of saying the wrong thing. How does one find the right words?

Eva-Maria Villnow: When we meet someone with cancer, we sometimes feel our own uncertainty too. We are often not used to dealing with serious illnesses and death. Some people cannot bear it and pull themselves back. This makes those who stay all the more important. No one has to find the perfect words. Reaching out to one another is a good start. Be brave, knock on the door and say: “I’ll be there”.

Julia Stump: One of my friends wrote me short, encouraging messages on a pink piece of paper and sent me a photo of them at each day of my chemotherapy. To outsiders, these are just small gestures, but to those going through it, they mean the world. Just ask: “What do you need? What can I do?” And if you’re missing the words, just bring some lasagne.

You feared for your lives and were worried about what would become of your families. How did you manage to stop that fear from taking over?

Julia Stump: Of course, I feared for my life. But my fear for my children was even bigger. I know from personal experience what it feels to lose a parent at a young age. Giving up was therefore never an option. After my diagnosis, I immediately switched into a fighting mode. Your greatest enemy is your own mind. That’s why it’s so important to break out of those spiralling thoughts.

Eva-Maria Villnow: I’m not stronger than anyone else. I’ve simply found a way to cope with the illness and take life as it comes. I enjoy every new day. Facing life with courage also means facing death – your own or that of others. That can be painful or frightening. And sometimes you can’t manage it on your own. In those cases, it’s important to accept the support that’s available.

You both have experienced extreme situations that have changed you and made your strengths even more apparent. What lessons have you learnt from this – including for people who aren’t ill? Do you have any practical suggestions for everyday life?

Julia Stump: Life’s too short of not enjoying it. Every day I appreciate it and don’t put things off anymore. Just give it a go – it might turn out well. Also, I always say: trust your gut. If you feel that something’s not right, don’t let anyone brush you off and go for a check-up.

Eva-Maria Villnow: As my strength came back, I took every opportunity and wanted to experience as much as possible. Today, I’m more selective and clearer about my life, what I want and what I don’t want. I decide more quickly, I’m more spontaneous and, in many ways, more relaxed. Enjoy the being and what’s on offer. Don’t wait until some point in the future when everything seems to be just right. Your perspective changes when a diagnosis suddenly appears in the picture. Take good care of yourselves and go for your screening appointments! There are many things in life we cannot control, but we can influence how we deal with them. And don’t forget: there are many ways oshowing someone that they matter. In the end, we don’t remember every word. But we do remember who stayed by our side.

Cologne-Deutz. In August, the exhibition centre at the river Rhine was transformed into a hotspot for the international gaming scene for five days. Visitors could test new games, eliminate high scores, snap up merchandise and take selfies with their favourite e-sports idols. Gamescom once again set new visitor records in 2026, with 36,000 trade visitors and 332,000 computer and video game fans, many of whom were cosplayers in colourful costumes, flocking through the halls.

Controller as an application portfolio

Teamwork and multitasking skills, strategic thinking, a high level of digital literacy and the ability to cope with frustration: regular gamers possess skills that are also of interest to technology companies. And so, numerous companies and organisations once again showcased themselves in the ‘Jobs & Career Area’ to inspire members of the gaming community to start their careers with them.

Since 2022, Rheinmetall has been using the fair as an innovative recruitment platform. This year, a special attraction awaited visitors at the defence group’s stand: a haptic simulator of an off-road vehicle. Visitors sat behind the virtual steering wheel wearing VR headsets, with only the bonnet in view, surrounded by a computer-generated environment that allowed them to experience the sensation of driving an off-road vehicle with all their senses. The crowd was corresponding in large numbers. Meanwhile, visitors who preferred to test their short-term memory could try their hand at a digital memory game featuring product cards of infantry fighting vehicles, transport vehicles, and reconnaissance drones. Discussions about job vacancies, training programmes and career opportunities took place between the stations.

A cross-section of society

“The focus was originally on recruiting IT specialists”, reports Nils-Hennes Over, Recruiting Media and Events Manager at Rheinmetall. However, it has since become clear that the Gamescom audience is significantly more diverse and spans all occupational groups. Female technicians, mechatronics engineers, and administrative staff were just as likely to be found at the fair as female electrical engineers or production staff, ranging from trainees to experienced professionals. “What unites the gaming community is their enthusiasm for technology and complex systems”, says Over. “This openness allows us to reach out to people who had not previously considered a career in the security and defence industry, but whose skills are an excellent fit for the wide range of roles at Rheinmetall”.

Large scope guaranteed

Rheinmetall attracted considerable attention from gamers thanks to its joint campaign with the eSports team of its sponsorship partner, Borussia Dortmund. Fans were invited to a meet-and-greet with the team’s players at the stand, including an autograph session, a photo shoot and a gaming session against the professionals. The team celebrated its greatest eFootball success to date in March when they won the Virtual Bundesliga Club Championship title. Such events increase Rheinmetall’s outreach and strengthen its ties with the gaming and eSports community.

Playing not to loose

Alongside commercial enterprises such as Rheinmetall, the Bundeswehr and the BND are also present in Cologne. The connection between games and the military has a long tradition. As early as 1824, the Prussian War Game revolutionised officer training. This tactical simulation game replaced dry theory, providing valuable knowledge for complex combat situations using maps and game pieces.

Nowadays, almost all of the world’s armed forces use wargames to test strategies in realistic settings. The United Kingdom and the United States are regarded as leaders in this area. Unlike first-person shooter games, however, these simulations are not intended for entertainment purposes, but rather to provide insight. They present participants with strategic dilemmas and encourage them to test possible solutions and hone their ability to make decisions under time pressure. This method has long been an integral part of officer training at leadership academies and Bundeswehr universities, whether analogue, hybrid or digital and supplemented by artificial intelligence. In a risk-free, ‘safe-to-fail’ environment, soldiers gain experience through simulation to prepare them for real-life emergencies.

“What unites the gaming community is their enthusiasm for technology and complex systems. At Gamescom, we can reach out to people who had not previously considered a career in the security and defence industry, but whose skills are an excellent fit for the wide range of roles at Rheinmetall”.

Nils-Hennes Over, Recruiting Media & Events Manager bei Rheinmetall

More than just a gaming fair

At the trade fair, the defence group demonstrated how ‘gamification’ is being implemented at Rheinmetall with its off-road vehicle simulator. Technologies originating from the gaming world are being used in professional training, development and simulation solutions. This offers numerous linking-points. Consequently, Gamescom has become much more than just a computer games trade fair for Rheinmetall; it is also a meeting place for talent, technological enthusiasm and future career prospects.

The repeated incidents at Munich Airport and other European airports make one thing abundantly clear: a single drone can bring operations to a complete standstill, leave passengers stranded and cause economic damage. What used to be isolated incidents is now an everyday occurrence. Whether over critical infrastructure such as chemical plants, power grids and ports, or at major sporting events – unmanned aerial vehicles pose a serious threat. Major urban events such as public screenings, parades or political gatherings are being threatened. The current geopolitical situation is further exacerbating the problem. Hybrid warfare, targeted acts of sabotage and the steadily growing threat are forcing Germany to protect its critical infrastructure effectively. Conventional defence systems are hereby become quickly inadequate. This threat requires new, intelligent responses.

Two partners, one goal

This is precisely where the cooperation between Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom comes in. The Düsseldorf-based defence company contributes many years of experience in drone defence, while the Bonn-based telecommunications provider offers a nationwide mobile network and extensive expertise in securing major events. Together, the two DAX-listed companies are developing a modular protection system that can be flexibly adapted to different threat situations. The approach: multi-threat protection. While phase one focuses on drone defence, the future solution is also intended to address threats on land, at sea and in cyberspace.

Modular architecture for flexible solutions

From detection and identification through to defence, the two partners combine different technologies to suit the specific scenario and threat situation. Both companies have expertise in sensor technology. Rheinmetall is responsible for the effectors. Deutsche Telekom contributes secure communications and 5G campus networks, cloud technology and data analytics. The individual capability modules can be flexibly combined to create tailored solutions. After all, power plant operators and industrial companies require different protective mechanisms from those needed at an airport or by an emergency services organisation. However different the requirements may be, the objective is always the same: to detect drones at an early stage and counter the threat using interfering signals (jamming), interceptor drones or – depending on the environment and regulatory requirements – laser-based defence systems.

The network as an intelligent guardian

Most of the drones currently available on the market still fly because a pilot controls them within visual range via remote control using a radio frequency. To detect them, Telekom comprises a combination of video, audio, radio frequency (RF), Remote ID sensors and radar. In densely built-up urban areas, passive RF sensors have proven particularly effective. Because they do not transmit an active search signal themselves, they can be installed on radio masts without difficulty. They currently detect more than 90 percent of all drones in low-altitude airspace.

Nowadays, both commercially available and homemade drones are increasingly being controlled via the internet using a smartphone. The widespread roll-out of high-performance mobile networks allows control over long distances, virtually from anywhere. For companies and government agencies, this poses a new dimension of threat level. Telekom is therefore researching how such mobile-network-controlled drones can be identified, in cooperation with the Helmut Schmidt University, aka the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Hamburg, and as part of the SENSATION project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Its innovation: the mobile network itself will become an active component of the defence system. The network detects suspicious communication patterns and reports potential threats in real time. This approach goes far beyond conventional radar or camera systems and opens up a new dimension in early detection. Technically, it is even possible to actively block such control data streams. The legal framework is still under clarification.

Nationwide Drone Situation Centre

This new method of drone detection is also set to be incorporated into the joint project between Rheinmetall and Telekom. Looking ahead, the two partners are envisioning a nationwide drone situation centre. Unlike military air situation pictures, this platform will be unclassified and accessible to all customers. In this way, companies and infrastructure operators will benefit not only from detections made by their own systems, but also from detections made by other users and from publicly available sources. Data fusion combined with AI-supported forecasts will assess current threats and enable follow-up analyses. This will create a protective shield that operates both regionally and nationally, supported by Telekom’s high-performance mobile network and a corresponding terrestrial network.

Tested in real-life situations

Telekom has been testing the capabilities of drone detection since 2016. Its customers include various governmental agencies, the Bundeswehr, airports and companies. The Group has already secured critical infrastructure, facilities, and major events against drones both in Germany and abroad. During the 2024 European Football Championships, the telecommunications company reliably detected illegal drone flights on behalf of the police. Thanks to pinpoint localisation, emergency services were able to find the pilots quickly.

Rheinmetall is one of the leading systems providers in close-range and short-range air defence. Effectors from the Düsseldorf-based technology group are currently in use in the Ukraine and the Middle East. In December 2025, Rheinmetall entered into a strategic partnership with the Hamburg Police Force and the Hamburg Port Authority to develop drone detection and defence concepts for one of Europe’s most demanding locations: because of its dense infrastructure, maritime conditions and the variety of radio sources, the Port of Hamburg is regarded as a particularly challenging environment for detection systems.

Rapid availability, wide range of applications

The timelines are ambitious. Individual solutions are already in operational use with various customers. The components from phase one for detecting, identifying and countering drones are ready and will become commercially available within a few months – hence, by combining the capabilities of both Groups. From phase two and subsequent development stages onwards, additional protection functions against cyberattacks will be integrated. This will be of particular interest to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Responsibility in uncertain times

Both DAX-listed companies are convinced that security today can only be approached in a networked way. Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, summarises the project’s strategic dimension: “The threat posed by drones is highly digital. This is why effective defence requires a combination of sensors, effectors, and secure communication networks. Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom bring together precisely these capabilities”. Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG, emphasises: “Sovereignty is achieved not only through discussion but through action. With our expertise in connectivity, cloud, and data analytics, we are elevating drone defence to a new level”. Deutsche Telekom and Rheinmetall are thus jointly strengthening sovereignty and are helping to alleviate concerns among the public.

I grew up in the fire station – I lived there for 22 years,” says Thomas Schlicht, laughing. He joined the youth fire brigade at the age of ten, so it was almost inevitable that he would follow in his father’s footsteps later on. Gerhard Schlicht headed the Unterlüß plant fire brigade from 1988 to 2003, a position that Thomas took over in 2009. His wife, Angela, also has close ties to the company, working as a logistics coordinator at Rheinmetall Landsystems. “Rheinmetall and the fire brigade are a big part of our lives,” says the former soldier of the Bundeswehr, also a trained master craftsman and technician. The Barbara 7 armoured fire engine is more than just an emergency vehicle: it symbolises the new direction taken by the plant fire brigade.

The situation at the Unterlüß site has changed fundamentally since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “People used to point fingers at us,” recalls Schlicht. “Today, we employees are proud to be working to ensure the security of our country.” However, the turning point brought challenges as well as progress. Rheinmetall built Europe’s largest ammunition plant at the site in record time, with an annual production capacity of up to 300,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. This meant that the fire brigade at the plant had to be expanded significantly, from five full-time staff members to 29. This development was personally overseen by the plant’s chief fire officer and the Rheinmetall Corporation’s fire safety officer.

Schlicht reports that recruiting new employees went surprisingly smoothly. “The great thing is that they are all people who were already firmly established in the working world. They all have experience of working with the volunteer fire brigade.” However, the plant fire brigade received more than just personnel reinforcement – it also received unparalleled non-human support in the form of the armoured fire engine Barbara 7.

Barbara – patron saint on eight wheels

“Our main concern was that we needed to protect our firefighters better. Since 1899, we have been firing different calibres into the heather landscape on our test site, and our team works in areas contaminated with ammunition,” explains Schlicht. The solution was found quickly: a MAN Rheinmetall recovery vehicle which was converted in-house. Barbara 6, the “little sister” with a capacity of 10,000 litres of water and an armoured cabin of Level 2 standard, has been in active service since 2021. Its unique feature is that firefighters do not have to leave the vehicle, as the extinguishing unit can be operated entirely by radio remote control. Barbara 7, the latest firefighting vehicle built by Rheinmetall, is now providing life-saving support for the Unterlüß plant firefighting team. The 13,000-litre water tank offers additional flexibility in the event of a fire, and the further reinforced Class 3 protective armour means that the passengers can survive even large explosions unscathed.

However, progress at the site is not limited to the fleet: a new fire station is already under construction. “It’s a gigantic building,” says Schlicht enthusiastically. According to a letter of recognition from the state authorities, the Unterlüß plant fire brigade is one of the largest in Lower Saxony, with a particularly high hazard potential. With 125 fire calls, 189 assistance calls, 53 ambulance calls, and 424 fire watch assignments last year alone, the emergency responders are kept busy. Fortunately, Thomas Schlicht and his team are always ready. They have ­Barbara at their side, and the will to make a valuable contribution to the safety of their colleagues.

The Gesundbrunnen subdistrict of Berlin has a long industrial tradition. As early as the 19th century, large factory buildings, such as those belonging to the locomotive manufacturer Schwartzkopff, dominated the townscape. Until recently, Rheinmetall subsidiary Pierburg manufactured valves, pumps, and cooling water systems for the automotive industry on this historic site, not far from Humboldthain train station.

Everything has changed since last year. Rheinmetall strategically realigned its business. Going forward, the Group intends to focus exclusively on its armaments business. Negotiations regarding the sale of the Power Systems civilian automotive division, which includes Pierburg, are expected to conclude in spring 2026. However, the Berlin plant is unaffected. Since July 2025, the site has belonged to Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH. Soon, 80-centimetre-long, 42-kilogramme projectile bodies for 155-millimetre NATO-standard-calibre artillery ammunition will be hardened and processed here.

Everything turned inside out

Andreas Müller has been with Pierburg, or rather Rheinmetall, since 1999, and has been managing the Berlin plant since 2014. The electrical and production engineer with a PhD, whom many colleagues simply call “Doc Müller”, emphasises that the conversion of the site to military production is a “real stroke of luck for the Berlin plant”. This applies to both the nearly 300 employees who will all stay on board and to Müller himself. Even though almost nothing will remain the same in the course of the reorganisation.

A tour of the production halls shortly before the turn of the year 2025/26 provided insight into what this process involves. The conversion is carried out during ongoing operation. The old production facilities are still being used to fulfil remaining orders for the automotive sector and to support sister companies, such as the one in Szeged, Hungary. Next door, a large factory hall has been completely cleared and fitted with a new floor at great expense. Machines for manufacturing projectile bodies stand, still fully packed, in the cleared areas, waiting to be put into operation.

“We’re already starting production of warheads for loitering munitions”, explains the “Doc”. These are intended for use in both the loitering munition from Rheinmetall Electronics (FV-014) and UVision (HERO) and in other systems. However, there are still a few temporary solutions in place, and some of the work can only be completed at a later date. “It’s like building a house,” says Müller. “You move in even if the attic hasn’t been painted yet.”

Supplier for Unterlüß

From 2027 onwards, Rheinmetall plans to manufacture up to 1.1million artillery shells per year. The Berlin plant will produce around 120,000 of the required shell bodies. These robust steel bodies will later be used for both live and training artillery ammunition. In addition to these, the Berlin plant supplies all the small mechanical parts required for the projectiles. Other types of ammunition are also manufactured there, including individual components, though no explosives. The customer for all of these products is the new Rheinmetall plant in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, which began operating in August 2025 as Europe’s largest factory for large-calibre ammunition.

The plant manager believes that 2026 as the transitional year will be even be more challenging. “After that, we’ll be in calmer waters.” In the future, Rheinmetall will produce about 50 different series components in Berlin. Currently, this includes artillery shell bodies and associated small parts, as well as multipurpose shell bodies and components for loitering munitions. This represents a significant reduction in logistical complexity compared to the automotive era. “Back then, a single production line sometimes covered over 25 different products for various customers,” recalls Müller.

Attention to every detail

The plant manager’s office is covered in charts containing tables and timetables. When will the factory floor be ready? When can the old production lines be dismantled and replaced with the new ones? When can the hardening furnace and the new machines be commissioned? He and his team must keep track of every detail. Andreas Müller is no stranger to challenges like these. In 2004, he helped set up the Pierburg plant in Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, the transformation of the Berlin site is far from routine for him. “It’s not every day that a company decides, ‘Okay, we’re going to do something completely different now.’”

A renovation with challenges

And that’s not all. Modernising an old facility is often more complicated than building a new one. “Renovating the hall floor, for example, takes a lot of time,” explains Müller. “First, we have to remove the existing 4,000-square-metre surface before we can lay the new screed. The new floor must then meet certain groundwater protection requirements.”

Particularly when demolishing the floor, problems can arise that have remained hidden for decades. The site on which the plant in Berlin stands has been used for industrial purposes since 1883. “Wherever the construction workers break ground, there are surprises,” says the plant manager. “A pipeline is lifted, and suddenly they discover old Eternit, meaning asbestos, which requires special disposal. That doesn’t happen with a new building.” To ensure that they are not building on contaminated soil, Andreas Müller is taking soil samples at all relevant locations.

Retraining for new tasks

The complete reorientation of production also brings new tasks for the production staff. ­Rheinmetall is investing not only in machinery but also in a comprehensive training programme. “This retraining is particularly challenging for employees who have previously worked on highly complex machines on the assembly line,” explains Andreas Müller. “In future, these skilled workers will primarily be deployed in the equally demanding field of lathe machining.” There are also fundamental differences in tool setting compared to previous workflows. Training courses will take place in both Berlin and Unterlüß, as well as online. “For those colleagues who were already working in lathe machining before the restructuring, little will really change.”

The “Mini-Factory” stays

Despite the fundamental transformation of the plant, one thing that remains unchanged is the mini-factory. This agile working model has already proven its worth during the Pierburg era. Rather than rigid department settings, specialists from production, logistics, and quality assurance work together across divisions. “The teams decide for themselves how to prioritise incoming work orders and issues that arise on a daily basis,” explains Müller. “We only specify the production goals and the how – production processes, material logging, and quality standards.” From the plant manager’s perspective, this extensive freedom of decision-making not only makes the work more efficient, but also more attractive. “In everyday business, colleagues act independently within the framework of established processes. That’s motivating.”

Times change

Rheinmetall Waffe Munition is located right in the heart of the German capital. Even though nothing which is manufactured in Berlin is subject to the War Weapons Control Act (see “Weapons, yes – but safely!”) the site’s reorientation is sparking heated discussions. The security situation in Europe has changed, as has the public perception of the defence industry. This rethinking is also evident among the workforce. All 300 employees decided to stay. In a very short amount of time.

“In a way, the whole plant has taken this step together,” says “Doc Müller” with pride. “The team is fully motivated, as we are literally realising everything at once.” He adds thoughtfully: “As a supplier to the struggling automotive industry, a site like ours would be unprofitable in the future.” At the same time, he emphasises that for the people here, it is about more than just a secure job: “We are contributing to our own security,” says Andreas Müller. This is important to many. There is also the fact that with the plant, the industrial tradition in Gesundbrunnen lives on. Since the 19th century, this area of what is now Berlin’s Mitte district has been a centre of production – and that is certainly not going to change any time soon.

As early as mid-2024, Rheinmetall had launched a pilot project for its newly developed curb charger together with the charging point operator TankE. In the Cologne urban area and a surrounding community, this form of kerbside charging was tested extensively under real-life conditions. The study examined acceptance and frequency of use among e-mobility users, as well as the reliability, ergonomics, and overall technical availability of the technology. This pilot phase was deliberately designed to run for a relatively long period to cover all seasons and their specific requirements.

In the meantime, a great deal of electricity has flowed through the charging devices, generating international interest in this unconventional method of “fuelling” electric vehicles. As a result, the first curb chargers are already in use in several cities, including Düsseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund, and Braunschweig. Further installations in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Leipzig, and Potsdam are currently being planned. The developers have also seen equally high levels of private interest.

“Nevertheless,” says Dr Dirk Kamarys, Head of the operational business unit, “our target market will remain the B2B sector. The reasons for this is the potential quantity, not to mention our company’s existing key account sales structure. This sector alone is already a highly attractive market for us.”

“Our system is needed”

Added to this is the unique positioning of ­Rheinmetall’s curb charger, which is protected by a large number of patents. Dr Felix Stracke, who is responsible for the basic concept of the curb chargers alongside his team, and who has also played a key role in their development for series production, comments: “At present, the proportion of electric or electrified vehicles in the total vehicle fleet is still in the single-digit percentage range. However, based on current trends and not least the renewed government funding, it is already clear today that we will need 10 to 15 times the current public charging infrastructure in the future. It is impossible to imagine covering this demand in our urban landscapes with charging stations alone. That is the reason why our system is needed!”

Award-winning product design

This is the general justification for the system, which has already demonstrated an impressive availability of over 99 per cent, even in its pilot phase. Conventional charging points typically achieve 95–97 per cent availability. This is a remarkable achievement, given that the developers in Neuss and their colleagues in the business section are operating in an entirely new branch. Nevertheless, they have developed their new product to perform reliably even under harsh environmental conditions, a product that has also been honoured with the renowned Red Dot Design Award.

Better than charging stations

developers of the Curb Charger wanted to gather as much objective feedback as possible, so they collaborated with the operators to conduct a case study. This involved analysing anonymous reviews from over a hundred customers who had used the chargers. Overall, the feedback was extremely positive. Any limitations perceived by e-mobility users in terms of the visibility of the charging points, which were not yet listed in the relevant apps during this initial phase, were more than compensated for by their high charging stability and reliability, as well as the innovative appeal of this novelty.
Compared with conventional charging stations, the curb chargers received better ratings for accessibility and easy handling. Additional advantages included an improved cityscape, preserved sightlines, clear pavements, and low susceptibility to vandalism. Last but not least, the technology is so robust that even being accidentally driven over does not really matter. Charging point operators also quickly became real fans of the curbs.

No electricity, no revenue

Long-term availability is a crucial factor in the overall cost analysis, particularly with regard to charging infrastructure. In addition to reliability, another important factor to consider is how quickly the charging point can be repaired in the event of a failure, since the operator inevitably loses revenue during any downtime. Again, the new technology scores highly in this respect, as the electronic module can be replaced within a short time if it shows a malfunction. However, this is by no means the end of the modules’ development story. Examples include an expanded international service network, bi-directional charging, replacing special concrete with grey cast iron, and a special cable protection programme. After all, the same principle applies: better is the enemy of good!

More information about Rheinmetall’s innovative curb charger can be found here.

Weapons are being misused worldwide to violate human rights and breach international humanitarian law, whether they are in the hands of Somali paramilitaries, Islamist terrorist groups, or pirates on the Nigerian coast. Behind this lies a global illegal market. These examples alone demonstrate the considerable dangers posed by the unregulated trade in arms. Nevertheless, weapons are necessary for maintaining internal security, defending the nation and its alliances, ensuring peace through deterrence, and carrying out military and humanitarian missions.

In Germany, this ambivalence is primarily governed by the Basic Law (constitution): acts intended to disrupt the peaceful coexistence of nations or to prepare for a war of aggression are unconstitutional and will be punished. The federal government must approve the production, transport, and sale of weapons which are intended for warfare (“weapons of war”), and this naturally also applies to Rheinmetall. Other armaments, including weapons and ammunition, that are not weapons of war are also subject to strict state approval and secondary obligations.

No export without controls

The Federal Republic of Germany has one of the strictest export control systems in the world. In addition to the Basic Law, German arms exports are governed by the War Weapons Control Act and the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG) in conjunction with the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (AWV). This serves the purpose of maintaining peace and preventing war. It regulates the production, transfer, placing on the market, acquisition, and transport of items, substances, and organisms that are classified as weapons of war. The law clearly defines what is considered to be a weapon of war – the intended purpose is a particularly crucial factor. Examples include main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, machine guns, certain types of ammunition, warships, and fighter aircraft.

Also, the export of other military equipment is regulated by law. For example, the export of weapons and ammunition is governed by the Weapons Act, while the export of explosives is governed by the Explosives Act. The relevant export licences are required depending on the end users.

Every step requires approval

Any production, storage, or transport of weapons of war and other types of weapons and ammunition, even within Germany, requires a licence under the relevant legal provisions, even within Germany. This also applies to the transport by German ships or aircraft outside German territory, also comprising imports, exports, and transit. At Rheinmetall, employees in the operating companies who have received the necessary training and possess sufficient experience ensure strict compliance with these regulations. Every delivery and every transport must be reported, even when a Puma infantry fighting vehicle, for example, is transported to an exhibition at the Day of the Bundeswehr in Wunstorf. So-called dual-use items, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, are controlled by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). These include chemicals, electronics, machine tools, software, and technology.

The federal government’s political principles also limit the discretion of the licensing authorities. One key element is the end user’s compliance with human rights. If there is reasonable suspicion that the military equipment will be misused for internal repression or other ongoing, systematic human rights violations, the export is prohibited. Furthermore, Germany distinguishes between EU and NATO countries, NATO-equivalent countries (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Switzerland), and third countries. The German government authorises exports to third countries only where, in individual circumstances, particular foreign or security policy interests of Germany are involved – for example in counterterrorism or efforts to combat international drug trafficking. In critical cases, the Federal Security Council, which meets in closed sessions, decides on the export licence. As a general rule, a licence for the export of armaments is only granted if it is guaranteed that they remain in the recipient country. The end user must usually confirm this with an end-use certificate. Following delivery, BAFA and the relevant German embassy may verify this by means of on-site checks.

Global standards and embargoes

Germany implements international arms embargoes through the AWV. Under the Wassenaar Arrangement, 42 participating states have agreed to standardise their controls on the export of conventional arms and dual-use items, as well as related technology. Under the Arms Trade Treaty, more than 100 states have committed themselves to comply with internationally agreed standards for trading armaments. Germany does not deliver goods to war zones or crisis regions as a matter of principle. One exception is Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s aggressive war. German export regulations also ensure compliance with various sanctions regimes, including those of the UN and the EU. Various authorities work hand in hand in this regard: BAFA, the German Federal Criminal Police Office, the Federal Office of Administration, and Customs exchange data to monitor all relevant exports.

Zero tolerance for violations

Strict laws, a restrictive authorisation process, and rigorous checks, combined with the comprehensive internal compliance programmes of the respective manufacturers – including Rheinmetall – ensure that violations remain rare. However, if they do occur, penalties can range from fines to prison sentences of several years, depending on the severity of the offence, particularly in cases involving commercial activities. Germany sets the standard for export control at both state and corporate levels. This fosters trust and security, ensuring that weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.

Until now, Weeze’s nationwide popularity was mainly due to cheap flights to ­Mallorca and the annual Parookaville music festival held at the airport. However, this small town in the district of Kleve is now making a name for itself in a completely different way. Since the summer of 2025, it has been the site of production for the “heart of the Lower Rhine’s fighter jets” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) – a symbol of Germany’s new direction in security policy. Here, Rheinmetall is manufacturing 400 centre fuselage sections for the F-35 fighter jet on behalf of the US corporation Northrop Grumman. Following the start-up phase, the new plant is set to produce up to 36 of these sections each year. The 30,000-square-metre factory for the fifth-generation stealth fighter is located in the immediate vicinity of Weeze Airport. Construction took less than a year and a half, and North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President, Hendrik Wüst, visited the site for the inauguration ceremony. The head of government explained that the new facility represents a “significant contribution to this new era and to Europe’s collective security”.

A new role in aviation

Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH operates this state-of-the-art production facility. Founded in Bremen in 2019, the subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG embodies the Group’s growing ambitions in the field of military aviation. Initially established as a strategic service provider for maintenance and repairs, the company now also manufactures key aircraft components. Until 2026, the company was responsible for managing the CH-53G helicopter fleet at Bundeswehr bases in Diepholz, Laupheim, and Holzdorf, providing services ranging from basic and full scale maintenance to repairs and daily support for flight operations. However, as the model is being phased out, this service will end in the near future.

Transatlantic partnership

In February 2023, Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman signed a letter of intent for the construction of F-35 fuselage centre sections in Germany. The aim was to establish an integrated assembly line and increase the share of the F-35 programme held by the European industry. While Lockheed Martin is responsible for development, sales, and final assembly as the prime contractor, Northrop Grumman supplies key technologies such as sensors, avionics as well as aircraft and training software. The fuselage centre section manufactured by Rheinmetall is a vital component of the F-35, connecting avionics, weapon systems, fuel cells, electrical and hydraulic systems, and parts of the propulsion system. The new Rheinmetall production line in Weeze is very similar to the one operated by Northrop Grumman in Palmdale, California.

Why Weeze?

The decision to choose Weeze as the appropriate location followed an intensive search. Out of over 70 potential sites in twelve of the German federal states, the 60,000-square-metre site on the Lower Rhine was ultimately chosen. Decisive factors included its proximity to the airport, favourable ground conditions, and the support of local and state politicians. The proximity to the industrial centres of the Ruhr region and the Rhineland was another key factor. Just under 18 months passed between the groundbreaking ceremony in late summer 2023 and the start of production in July 2025.

Long-term perspective

The production of 400 F-35 Lightning II fuselage centre sections is scheduled to continue for at least 20 years. This secures the site’s long-term future – well beyond 2040. Around 400 highly skilled jobs will be created. Not only will Weeze become part of a global supply chain, it will also become a visible symbol of the turning point in European security policy.

Precision craftsmanship in ­women’s hands

Sewing cartridge pouches, filling powder, or assembling projectiles: women kept ammunition production running in the factory halls, not only during the years of war – as cheap labour and with greater manual dexterity than their male colleagues. Such traditional gender roles are now considered to be old school. Today, women are involved in shaping the future of the Rheinmetall Group as technicians, engineers, and in leadership roles.

In modern warfare, so-called loitering munitions are becoming increasingly important. These kamikaze drones, equipped with a warhead, circle in the airspace undetected until they are given their target and attack command via a data link. Rheinmetall has several precision weapon systems in its portfolio.

In the late 1970s, automation entered factory halls, with industrial robots reducing error rates, boosting productivity, and shortening delivery times. Rheinmetall’s latest major investment is its highly automated plant in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, which opened in 2025. At Europe’s largest munitions factory, the defence group plans to produce up to 350,000 rounds of highly demanded 155 mm ammunition per year.