Overview
- Rheinmetall agreed to acquire Naval Vessels Lürssen from the Lürssen group, targeting completion in early 2026 subject to competition authority clearance, with the purchase price undisclosed.
- The buyer says NVL will become a dedicated division within Rheinmetall, including its current management, with all sites and employees retained and synergies expected with vehicle and munitions businesses.
- NVL operates four German shipyards in Wolgast, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven with a Bremen headquarters, employs about 2,100 people, and generated roughly €1 billion in revenue in 2024, alongside international sites.
- Rheinmetall shares hit record highs after the announcement, extending a multi‑year rally linked to surging European defense orders since 2022.
- IG Metall welcomed clarity on the plan but pressed for guarantees on jobs, locations and collective bargaining, as regulators begin reviewing potential competition issues.