Rheinmetall acquires NVL from Lürssen Group.
Rheinmetall Acquires Naval Vessels Lürssen: Düsseldorf / Bremen — March 1, 2026 — Rheinmetall has finalised its acquisition of Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL), the military shipbuilding arm of the Lürssen Group, marking a decisive step in its ambition to become a cross-domain defence systems provider.
The Düsseldorf-based technology group confirmed that all antitrust approvals for the takeover of NVL B.V. & Co. KG, headquartered in Bremen-Vegesack, and its subsidiaries have been granted. The transaction was formally concluded on 1 March 2026. Both parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
The deal follows Rheinmetall’s initial announcement in September 2025 and the signing of the purchase agreement in October 2025.
Creating a German Naval Systems House
With the integration of NVL, Rheinmetall intends to establish a German “systems house” for the development and production of advanced naval and coastguard vessels, as well as maritime autonomous surface systems.
The acquisition significantly strengthens Rheinmetall’s footprint in the maritime domain, complementing its established land systems, air defence, electronics, and space capabilities. The company says the move consolidates its role as a comprehensive supplier of defence technology in Germany and across Europe.
Armin Papperger, Chairman, Rheinmetall.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, welcomed the completion of the transaction. “We are happy about the successful finalisation of the transaction,” he said. “In future, Rheinmetall will be a relevant player on land, on water, in the air and in space and is thus developing into a cross-domain system house. In combining the expertise of Rheinmetall and NVL, we will be creating a powerful full-range supplier for state-of-the-art surface vessels.”
He added that the integration would generate mutual growth opportunities and strengthen the company’s strategic position in the maritime sector, while contributing to Germany’s and NATO allies’ naval defence capabilities.
Expanding Maritime Capabilities
NVL has long been recognised for its expertise in naval shipbuilding, including the design and construction of complex surface combatants and support vessels. By bringing these capabilities in-house, Rheinmetall gains direct access to ship platform design and production capacity, enabling tighter integration of its own electronics, sensors, effectors, and digital systems into complete naval solutions.
Rheinmetall indicated that it plans to deliver high-performance system solutions featuring modern digital infrastructure, covering the full spectrum of naval requirements — from platforms and onboard electronics to sensors and weapon systems.
The company also highlighted maritime autonomous surface systems as a future growth area, reflecting broader trends toward unmanned and digitally networked naval operations.
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Responding to Rising Demand for Naval Systems
The acquisition comes amid heightened security concerns in Europe and growing defence budgets across NATO member states. The current conflict environment, Rheinmetall noted, underscores the increasing importance of robust military enforcement capabilities at sea.
Naval forces are expected to play a central role in deterrence, sea lane protection, and power projection, driving demand for modern surface vessels and integrated combat systems.
By integrating NVL’s shipbuilding expertise with Rheinmetall’s established defence electronics and weapons portfolio, the group aims to respond to this surge in procurement activity with end-to-end maritime solutions.
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Strategic Realignment in the European Defence Industry
The takeover reflects a broader consolidation trend within Europe’s defence industry, as companies seek to scale up capabilities and offer integrated, cross-domain solutions to meet evolving operational requirements.
For Rheinmetall, the acquisition not only deepens its industrial base but also accelerates its transformation into a multi-domain prime contractor — active on land, at sea, in the air and in space.
With the transaction now complete, the focus shifts to integration and alignment of operations, as Rheinmetall positions itself to compete for major naval programmes in Germany and across allied markets.
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