Rheinmetall’s New Power at Sea: NVL Acquisition Officially Completed

Rheinmetall has ushered in a new era in the field of naval platforms by incorporating NVL (Naval Vessels Lürssen), the military shipbuilding arm of the Lürssen Group, into its structure. With the completion of the acquisition process as of March 1, 2026, Rheinmetall will now operate not merely as a subsystem supplier. Instead, it will act as a fully equipped naval systems house.

In line with its strategic growth objectives, Rheinmetall successfully finalized the acquisition process of the NVL Group. The agreement was announced in September 2025 and signed in October 2025. It became official on March 1, 2026, following approval by the antitrust authorities.

A “Systems House” Era in Naval Defense

With this acquisition, Rheinmetall has elevated its capabilities in the maritime domain to a new level. This follows land, air, and space. Additionally, NVL’s (formerly Lürssen Defence) four strategic shipyards (Peene-Werft, Blohm+Voss, Norderwerft, and Neue Jadewerft), and approximately 2,100 skilled personnel, will now operate under the Rheinmetall umbrella.

Through this move, the company aims to become Germany’s central “systems house” for the development and production of modern warships, coast guard vessels, and autonomous surface platforms at sea.

Armin Papperger: “We Have Become a Multi-Domain Force”

Commenting on the completion of the acquisition, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated:
“We are very pleased that the transaction has been successfully completed. Rheinmetall has now become a cross-domain systems house operating on land, at sea, in the air, and in space. By combining the expertise of Rheinmetall and NVL, we are creating a strong and comprehensive supplier for modern surface vessels. This step will not only strengthen our company’s position in the maritime sector but will also make a significant contribution to the naval defense capabilities of Germany and NATO allies.”

Strategic Objective: Digital and Integrated Solutions

Rheinmetall plans to integrate NVL’s shipbuilding experience with its own advanced portfolio of electronics, sensors, and weapon systems (including the Oerlikon Millennium Gun, laser systems, etc.). In this way, end-to-end solutions will be offered—from platform to ammunition. The company also aims to increase its share in the global market. This is particularly the case through autonomous surface systems and high-performance ship solutions with strong digital infrastructure.

Source: C4Defence– Rheinmetall