Rüstungsindustrie: BW & RLP Firmen
The german Defence Industry: A Closer Look at key Players and Global Impact
Table of Contents
World Leader in Mobile Bridges Located in Rhineland-Palatinate
rhineland-Palatinate has emerged as a hub for the defense industry, centered around the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in Koblenz. While many firms maintain offices there, some German companies focus on maintaining equipment for American military bases like Ramstein and Spangdahlem.
In Kaiserslautern, General Dynamics, a global leader in mobile bridge systems, welds heavy components for vehicles and ferry systems.
Estimates of employment in the defense industry vary. Klaus-Heiner Röhl, a defense expert from the employer-affiliated German Economic Institute (IW), notes that it remains a relatively small sector compared to the overall industry, despite recent growth.
According to IW calculations,pure defense manufacturers employ approximately 60,000 people nationwide (up from 55,535 in 2020).
“The end manufacturers like Rheinmetall, KNDS, TKMS or diehl have circa 60,000 employees in Germany, including the suppliers it is around 150,000. in delimitation with for example electronics and cyber defense as well as civil or dual-use products for the military 200,000 to 250,000 employees.”
IW expert Röhl emphasizes that these figures are estimates due to a lack of statistical data and the often unclear boundaries of the sector.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action reports approximately 105,000 employees in the defense industry and nearly 282,000 in the security industry, totaling 387,000 (as of 2022).
A ministry spokesperson highlights the sector’s cross-cutting nature, with production occurring across various economic branches. Companies often produce for both civilian and military applications.
The annual turnover is around 47 billion euros, with approximately 31 billion euros attributed to the defense industry and nearly 17 billion euros to the security industry.
According to the Federal ministry for Economic Affairs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute 39 percent of the sector’s value creation and employ 49 percent of all workers in the security and defense industries.
industry Barometer from “Defense News” Magazine
Among the Top 100 global defense companies, five are German, along with the joint venture Airbus (Defence and Space), ranked 13th with nearly 13 billion US dollars in revenue:
- Rheinmetall (almost 6.2 billion dollars, rank 20),
- Hensoldt (almost 2 billion dollars, rank 54),
- Diehl (almost 0.9 billion, rank 87),
- Renk (0.7 billion, rank 93) and
- MTU Aero Engines (almost 0.6 billion, rank 97).
Panzer specialist KNDS (with the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) should also be included.It ranks 36th with 3.5 billion dollars in revenue. KNDS and Airbus are officially based in the Netherlands (for tax and political reasons) but primarily manufacture in Germany.
Other important german companies include: MBDA, Heckler & Koch, Rhode & Schwarz, the submarine and shipbuilders Lürssen and Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems. Besides Heckler & koch, well-known small arms manufacturers are Walther, Haenel, and SIG Sauer. International defense groups with locations in Germany include Thales, leonardo, Raython, and Rafael.
Worldwide Arms Sales are Rising
Globally, defense company revenues are increasing.NATO countries, in particular, are rearming in response to the changing global landscape. The sector’s revenue rose from 524 billion dollars in fiscal year 2019 to 632 billion dollars in 2023.
Hensoldt: This company (spun off from the Airbus Group) sells radars, sensors, optronics, and avionics. It has developed specialized electronics that are in demand worldwide for civilian and military use. Hensoldt itself is not a weapons manufacturer, but its sensors and electronic components ensure that fighter jets can hit their targets. The cooperation with the Diehl Group in the IRIS-T-SLX production is famous for this. Hensoldt also supplies the appropriate software.At the end of 2020, the federal government invested in the company to achieve a blocking minority of 25.1 percent.Shortly afterward, the Italian defense group Leonardo also acquired a 25.1 percent stake.
MTU Rolls-Royce Power Systems (MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH): The engine manufacturer on Lake Constance has a long history. It supplies tank manufacturers and the Navy with robust engines. They are also found in civilian ships, trains, very heavy machinery, and power generators.
Die Rüstungsindustrie in Baden-Württemberg: Ein Überblick
Baden-Württemberg ist ein bedeutender Standort für die Rüstungsindustrie in Deutschland. Zahlreiche Unternehmen sind in der Entwicklung und Produktion von Rüstungsgütern tätig.Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über einige der wichtigsten Akteure.
bedeutende Unternehmen der Rüstungsindustrie
Hier sind einige der Schlüsselunternehmen, die in der Rüstungsindustrie in Baden-Württemberg aktiv sind:
Airbus Defense and Space
Airbus ist nach BAE Systems der zweitgrößte europäische Luft- und Raumfahrtkonzern. Das Angebot umfasst den Eurofighter Typhoon, das transportflugzeug A 400 M, das Tank-Transportflugzeug A 330 MRTT und den Kampfhubschrauber Tiger. Über die Tochterfirma NH-Industries (gemeinsam mit dem Leonardo-Konzern) wird der Transporthubschrauber NH90 produziert. Airbus ist zudem am Lenkwaffenproduzenten MBDA beteiligt. am Standort Immenstaad wurden Bodenstationen für die Satellitenkommunikation der Bundeswehr gefertigt.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
ZF Friedrichshafen AG ist ein großer Automobilzulieferer mit einem Umsatz von 46,6 Milliarden Euro im Jahr 2023. Obwohl ZF keine speziellen Entwicklungen für das Militär durchführt, werden Synergien aus anderen Bereichen genutzt. Die Eigenwerbung beim Bundesverband deutscher Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie verweist auf “Special Vehicles”, womit Produkte für gepanzerte Rad- und Kettenfahrzeuge gemeint sind.
Heckler & Koch AG
Heckler & Koch AG gehörte zu den ersten Ausstattern der Bundeswehr, beginnend 1959 mit dem Standardgewehr G3. Das Unternehmen, heute mehrheitlich im Besitz einer Luxemburger Finanzholding, exportierte nicht nur das G3-Gewehr, sondern auch komplette Waffenfabriken. Das Nachfolgemodell G36 ist ebenfalls ein Exportschlager. Das Unternehmen mit rund 1100 Mitarbeitern verkauft Sturmgewehre, Maschinengewehre, Granatwerfer und Pistolen an Behörden (militär, Polizei) und Zivilisten.
“Seit der russischen Invasion in die Ukraine ist das Interesse an Heckler & Koch gestiegen, und es gibt eine neue Offenheit in der Politik, der Gesellschaft und bei den Medien.”
Heckler & Koch ist in Oberndorf am Neckar ansässig, wo auch Rheinmetall ein Werk betreibt, dessen geschichte bis zur Königlich Württembergischen Gewehrfabrik von 1811 zurückreicht. Zudem ist Feinwerkbau, ein Weltmarktführer für Sportwaffen, in Oberndorf ansässig.
Früher demonstrierten friedensaktivisten in der Stadt mit dem Slogan “Der Tod ist ein Meister aus Oberndorf”. Heute gibt es kaum noch Proteste.
Oberndorfs Bürgermeister Matthias Winter bemerkt einen imagewandel: Früher wurde das Thema gewechselt, wenn es um Heckler & Koch oder Rheinmetall ging. “Heute ist das Interesse an den Rüstungsunternehmen groß – auch bei anderen Bürgermeistern.”
“Wir merken einen deutlichen Imagewandel, der mit der Zeitenwende einhergeht.”
Diehl Defence
Diehl Defence fertigt Lenkflugkörper und entwickelt zugehörige Komponenten und Technologien. Die Fertigung von Material für das Militär hat bei Diehl historische wurzeln, beginnend mit der Produktion von Patronen- und Munitionshülsen. Später kamen Zünder sowie Wirkladung und Bordkanonen für den Tornadojet hinzu. Diehl kaufte den Uhrenhersteller Junghans, den Bodensee-Gerätetechniker BGT und den Zulieferer AIM in Heilbronn auf. Auch im Bereich der Instandhaltung von Panzern und Fahrzeugen war Diehl aktiv.
SAP
SAP war als Softwarehersteller an der Erneuerung der IT-Struktur der Bundeswehr beteiligt (Herkules). SAP-Anwendungen werden auch von der Schweizer Armee genutzt.
Thales Deutschland
Thales Deutschland ist vor allem durch seine bahntechnik bekannt, ist aber auch Europas viertgrößter Rüstungskonzern.Das Unternehmen bietet Feuerleittechnik für Schiffe und Panzer sowie Trainings- und Simulationssysteme an.In Ulm stellt Thales Wanderfeldröhren für Satelliten her und beschäftigt dort rund 570 Mitarbeiter. Laut Thales-sprecher Pitt Marx soll die Mitarbeiterzahl perspektivisch wachsen, auch durch Zuwachs aus der Automobilindustrie. Das Stigma der Rüstungsindustrie sei nicht mehr so groß.
Daimler Truck
daimler Truck ist ein großer Lieferant für den militärischen Transport weltweit und setzt auf Wachstum im Defence-Bereich.In einer eigenen Sparte in Wörth am Rhein sind alle Produkte für das Militär untergebracht. Die Fahrzeuge basieren auf der G-Klasse oder dem Van. Mit Zetros, Atego und Arocs werden drei Modelle angeboten, aber auch reine Chassis auf Basis des Uni-Mog.
Pressestelle © Daimler Truck AG
General Dynamics
General Dynamics hat mehrere Werke und Niederlassungen in Europa. In Deutschland werden in Kaiserslautern mobile Brücken hergestellt. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) produziert auch gepanzerte Rad- und Kettenfahrzeuge und Artilleriekanonen. Die österreichische Tochter steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug ist ebenfalls im Rüstungsgeschäft tätig. Ende 2021 gründete GDELS ein Joint Venture für ein Panzer-Schutzsystem mit dem israelischen Rüstungskonzern Rafael und dem damaligen deutschen Rüstungsunternehmen Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
German Munitions and Defense Industry: Key Players and Trends
Germany’s defense industry is a critical component of its economy and security infrastructure. Several key players contribute to the production of munitions, military vehicles, and related services. This article provides an overview of some of the most prominent companies in the sector.
Major Munitions Manufacturers in Germany
Several companies in Germany specialize in the production of munitions, ranging from small-caliber ammunition to larger projectiles. These manufacturers supply both domestic and international markets, catering to military, law enforcement, and civilian needs.
MEN Metallwerk Elisenhütte
Located in Nassau (Rhein-Lahn-Kreis), MEN Metallwerk Elisenhütte focuses on producing small-caliber ammunition for military and police forces, establishing itself as one of Germany’s largest munitions factories. In 2018, the company manufactured over 200 million cartridges. Founded in 1957, MEN was acquired by the Brazilian defense group Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC) in 2007. The German ammunition plant, along with the Czech ammunition manufacturer Sellier & bellot and the US ammunition giant Magtech, belongs to the CBC Group, one of the world’s largest ammunition groups.
Nolte Services
Nolte Services has established itself as a service provider in the defense industry. Its services include maintaining US military equipment and inspecting ammunition. Nolte is also contracted for explosive ordnance disposal. The company also carries out general surveying tasks. It has a branch in the USA and two in Switzerland. in Rhineland-Palatinate, Nolte is active at the Bruchmühlbach-Miesau site, near Landstuhl and thus close to the US Air Force base in Ramstein.
Key Defense Companies and Their Specializations
Beyond munitions, several german companies excel in the production of military vehicles, weapon systems, and related technologies.
KNDS
KNDS, formed in 2015 through the merger of German tank manufacturer Krauss-maffei Wegmann and france’s Nexter Defence Systems due to political pressure, is headquartered in the Netherlands for tax reasons and to avoid giving either company an advantage. Despite the merger, the two companies operate independently.Krauss-Maffei Wegmann remains the primary tank manufacturer for Germany,producing a full range of armored tracked and wheeled vehicles for the Bundeswehr. They also collaborate with Rheinmetall in joint ventures to produce the Puma and Boxer vehicles.
Rheinmetall: A Colossus in German Defense
Rheinmetall, based in Düsseldorf, stands as Germany’s largest defense company, excluding Airbus as a joint venture. With forty locations across germany and branches in Europe, the USA, and Australia, Rheinmetall has approximately forty subsidiaries and holdings, primarily in the defense sector.
Founded in 1889, the company expanded considerably during the World Wars. After a brief period of civilian production, it resumed weapons manufacturing in 1956, starting with machine guns and ammunition, later adding larger calibers. In response to declining demand for armaments in the 1980s, Rheinmetall diversified into civilian business, particularly the automotive industry, while expanding its military product range through acquisitions of insolvent companies.
From 2000 onwards, Rheinmetall refocused on its core competencies: defense technology, automotive technology, and electronics. The group divested companies,cooperated,and acquired specialists,such as the German drone manufacturer EMT and the field camp specialist Zeppelin Mobile Systeme. Rheinmetall offers armored and unarmored vehicles for military use, including the Leopard 2 (together with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), the Puma, Marder, Lynx, and Wiesel infantry fighting vehicles.
Rheinmetall is involved in the British Challenger 2 tank program in cooperation with BAE Systems. This tank serves as the basis for armored personnel carriers and mine clearers.
the company’s portfolio of armored wheeled vehicles for military applications includes the Boxer (in cooperation with KMW/Artec) and the Survivor for civilian operations. Unarmored military vehicles, mostly transporters, are also offered in cooperation with MAN.
In addition to vehicles, Rheinmetall specializes in developing smoothbore weapon systems, producing large-caliber cannons for tanks and artillery, medium-caliber machine guns for turrets or additional armament, and smaller onboard guns. Rheinmetall also supplies the corresponding ammunition or propellants, as well as the necessary electronics and software.
The Future of the German Defense Industry
The German defense industry is poised for continued growth and innovation, driven by both domestic and international demand. Companies like Rheinmetall are making significant investments to increase production capacity and develop new technologies. As CEO Armin Papperger stated,there is a “necessity to promote the military independence of the continent,” leading to substantial investments in ammunition production and Rheinmetall’s emergence as “the largest ammunition manufacturer in the western world.”
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