European defence contractor with automotive & defence divisions, headquartered in Düsseldorf
The UK has opened Rheinmetall’s gun hall in Telford, marking rapid reindustrialisation. The facility will produce 120mm and 155mm barrels and breaches for future artillery and Challenger 3 upgrades, with 100 local jobs supported and production ramping up to meet defence needs. The project underscores Britain’s bid to strengthen sovereign industrial capacity amid tensions with Russia.
China has restricted exports of dual-use items to 14 European organizations and barred foreign firms from supplying them with such items, in a response to EU sanctions on Russia. The measures cover firms spanning Czech, Italian, German and French industries, and come as Brussels expands penalties against Moscow.
Rheinmetall has revised its revenue guidance for 2026 to as low as €13.7 billion, down from €14.0 billion, while maintaining its operating margin. The company reports a 39% rise in first-half sales and a 74% jump in profits, with new naval division contributing to growth; investors weigh valuations amid strong orders and potential shifts in government spending.
German security authorities have found a stash of handguns near Berlin believed to be for assassinations on orders from Russian intelligence. A Romanian-based suspect is in custody as prosecutors investigate plans for violent attacks and potential foreign-state involvement. Authorities warn of heightened threat levels amid ongoing probes.
Volkswagen has approved its Future Plan 2030, a wide-ranging restructuring that will cut about 50,000 additional jobs — bringing total reductions to roughly 100,000 by 2030 — halve the model range by 2035 and end car production at four German plants between 2031 and 2034. The company has pledged a three‑figure billion euro investment to strengthen brands while simplifying offerings.
The Department of Justice has charged five men linked to Russian intelligence with conspiring to finance terrorism and, in some cases, murder for hire. They allegedly recruited people in the United States and abroad to surveil and kill a prominent Russian dissident and to target others aligned with Ukraine. All five remain at large.