Dennis Goege, CEO for Europe at Lockheed Martin, stated that transatlantic partnerships, such as the one with Rheinmetall, are crucial for bolstering deterrence and generating economic benefits on both sides of the Atlantic. He emphasized that these collaborations are not merely transactional but are about building and sustaining capabilities over decades, differing from simple product purchases.
Lockheed Martin is actively pursuing missile co-production with Rheinmetall in Germany, specifically discussing the manufacture of ATACMS and Hellfire missiles at Rheinmetall's expanding Unterluess site. This initiative aims to establish a European center of excellence for missile manufacturing, integration, and distribution, contributing to European security and NATO's long-term resilience.
The partnership, which expands upon a 2024 memorandum of understanding, involves Lockheed Martin providing missile and rocket technology while Rheinmetall handles manufacturing and sales in Europe. This move is expected to increase local capability, strengthen allied deterrence, and create industrial value in Germany.
Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, noted that this collaboration helps establish an industrial base for modern defense systems in Germany, securing supplies and strengthening Europe's defense policy autonomy. The Unterluess facility, which began operating a new artillery ammunition production line last year, is also preparing a rocket motor factory set to begin production in 2027.
