Rheinmetall to build new plant in Weeze

The Rheinmetall defense group is planning a new, state-of-the-art factory in Weeze in the Lower Rhine region. The technology company from Düsseldorf plans to build parts for fighter jets at the 60,000-square-meter complex from 2025 – including for the German Luftwaffe. A total of 400 highly skilled jobs will be created at the site in the Kleve district.

The decision was made after examining a number of possible options in various German states. In the end, the Weeze site convinced the company on account of its location, transportation links, soil conditions and logistical infrastructure. For example, the company had the soil at the site, which is close to the airport, tested for its load-bearing capacity to ensure that it could withstand the weights involved in the production of fighter jets.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger welcomes this move "to contribute to the future viability of Germany as a technology location and thus also to the technological enrichment of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where we have our traditional corporate headquarters. Not far from the state capital Düsseldorf, we will build a factory that will set standards in Europe. We are grateful for the high level of political and administrative support we received during our search for a site in Weeze." For example, NRW.Global Business had provided the Group with intensive support and assistance in this location project.

In addition to the modern assembly line, the plant will also include a research and test center as well as training facilities. In the F-35 program, Rheinmetall cooperates primarily with the US companies Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. Together, they are also integrating other companies with suitable technical capabilities into the F-35 program and creating or securing numerous indirect jobs in various sectors.