Germany must not develop an inferiority complex with the US if it is to help drive through an urgent European-wide rearmament program and become a „reliable partner” to Washington, according to the head of Germany’s largest defense contractor.
„Not a Small Boy Working with a Big Giant”
„We must not be, like we say, ‘a small boy who is working with a big giant,'” Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger told Breaking Defense at the DSEI trade show in London. „We must be on the same level as the United States of America and Europe. Germany has to play its role,” in defending the continent.
Investing in Defense: Germany Steps Up
Papperger pushed back on political signaling from German Chancellor Freidrich Merz for Germany to establish „independence” from the US. „Chancellor Mertz now will invest the money, and the whole government will invest the money,” Papperger added, referring to Berlin’s plans to increase defense spending. „So I think that Germany, but also Europe … will grow up to be a reliable partner of the United States.”
Fixing Years of Underspending
The German government is investing „more than the rest of Europe,” and years of underspending in the country’s armed forces before the war in Ukraine has been „fixed” under a Ministry of Finance plan to reach a military budget of €160 billion in 2029, said Papperger.
Strengthening Ties with US
Rheinmetall holds robust industrial ties with US giant Lockheed Martin and strengthened cooperation further this week at DSEI by unveiling a next-generation „missile tank destroyer” technology demonstrator. The land system comprises a 6×6 Fuchs armored vehicle and Hellfire Longbow and Joint Air to Ground Munition (JAGM) missiles.
Europeanization of American Technology
„We make a Europeanisation of that stuff,” said Papperger. „It’s not that we buy American technology, it’s that we implement American technology into Europe.” He suggested that relying solely on European solutions would be counterproductive, stating that „if you want to make a R and D [Research and Design] program in Europe to build up everything … you are not [going to be] ready in 10 years.”
F-35 Fuselages Being Built in Germany
A total of three F-35A fuselages, being built by Rheinmetall for non-US customers, have so far been produced by the firm at a new production facility in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. A „grand opening” of the site is scheduled in four to six weeks, Papperger explained. In 2023, Rheinmetall stated that „at least” 400 of the fuselages will be manufactured in all.
