Germany's Leopard tank move puts spotlight on its maker: Rheinmetall
WORLD 26 January 2023 - 23:01
Reuters has published an article saying that as a result of Germany's long-awaited decision to export the powerful Leopard tanks—which Rheinmetall produces in collaboration with competitor Krauss-Maffei Wegmann—to Ukraine, the company's shares, which have been trading for over 134 years, hit a new high. Caliber.Az reprints the article.
Armin Papperger is on a roll.
On January 24, the chief executive of Germany defence champion Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) nudged up the group's mid-term sales outlook in anticipation of a windfall from higher defence spending due to the war in Ukraine.
A day later, Germany's long-awaited decision to send heavy Leopard tanks to Ukraine, which Rheinmetall produces jointly with peer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, pushed shares in the nearly 134-year old firm to a record high.
This has given the maker of tanks, ammunition and other war equipment a valuation of around 10 billion euros ($11 billion), an increase of two and a half times over the past year and potentially promoting it to Germany's blue-chip DAX (.GDAXI) index.
For Papperger, 59, who has led the company for the past decade, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has not only brightened the group's business prospects but also led to a change in perception in a nation traditionally critical of Germany's role in military conflicts.
"In former times we were insulted and sometimes threatened. Today people say and write to me: 'Thank God you're around'," Papperger, an avid hunter who keeps miniature models of tanks in his office, told German magazine Stern this week.
Part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's proclaimed "Zeitenwende" - a shift towards more assertive foreign policy after decades of military attrition - Wednesday's move follows mounting pressure to send better fighting equipment to Kyiv.
"I think about what weapons can do. But I also think about what can happen when you don't have weapons. You can see that right now in Ukraine," Papperger, a trained engineer who joined Rheinmetall in 1990, said.
Founded in 1889 to provide ammunition to the then German Empire, Rheinmetall continued to be a key supplier of weaponry to Germany's military during both World War One and Two, during which the company was temporarily nationalised.
"PRICED IN"
Today, the company, which is also a key supplier to the automotive sector, employs more than 25,000 worldwide and apart from the Leopard battle tank also makes the Puma and Marder infantry fighting vehicles as well as several types of ammunition.
Rheinmetall's direct deliveries to Ukraine so far included air defence systems used to combat drones, ammunition, military trucks as well as a field hospital.
The group has said it can deliver a total of 139 Leopard tanks - 51 of the model 2 and 88 of the older model 1 - to Ukraine. Rheinmetall has said that 29 of the Leopard 2A4 tanks could already be delivered by April or May.
Analysts at Stifel Equity Research estimate Leopard deliveries could bring in between 300 million euros and 350 million euros of sales for Rheinmetall this year and next.
While that would be a fraction of total sales - seen at 7.6 billion euros in 2023 according to Refinitiv estimates -as the sole qualified supplier of Leopard 2 ammunition, the group could see a significant boost to its earnings, Stiefel said in a note on Wednesday.
The brokerage estimates ammunition sales could lift Rheinmetall's core earnings by 32 million euros each month, potentially doubling the group's monthly profit based on numbers reported for the first nine months of 2022.
UBS analysts warned though that while Rheinmetall's shares largely priced in future defence orders, they had yet to materialise.
Papperger, too, this week called on Berlin to quickly turn its 100 billion euro special military budget Scholz announced last year into firm orders, saying industry was standing ready to deliver but needed planning certainty.
"The entire German industry is ready," he said at an industry event.
($1 = 0.9197 euros)
Caliber.Az
1
|
Iran re-evaluating its ties with Azerbaijan, Armenia Baku - more important, honest partner than Yerevan
25 April 2024 - 12:00
|
2
|
Armenia returns four villages to Azerbaijan, paving the way for peace in the South Caucasus Landmark accord
23 April 2024 - 09:14
|
3
|
Mark Rutte seeks Türkiye's backing for new job A new pair of hands
24 April 2024 - 16:55
|
4
|
"Peoples of South Caucasus should resolve their differences independently" Foreign analysts on Caliber.Az
24 April 2024 - 17:40
|
5
|
Armenian PM's Moscow visit sparks speculation on bilateral relations Dilemma between East, West
23 April 2024 - 11:19
|
US Navy sells two aircraft carriers for just penny each
26 April 2024 - 07:03
Chinese metal tycoon’s heir buys $62 million Singapore mansion
26 April 2024 - 05:04
Any light at end of tunnel for China’s Hong Kong?
26 April 2024 - 03:05
US dealing with rare bifurcation of economy
26 April 2024 - 01:03
One international destination everyone wants to go to this summer
25 April 2024 - 23:00
Azerbaijani leader's plane makes its maiden voyage from Fuzuli to Berlin
25 April 2024 - 20:59
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan forge closer ties during high-level meetings
PHOTO/VIDEO25 April 2024 - 20:53
Russia’s Putin to visit China
25 April 2024 - 20:45
Azerbaijani tourism agency granted membership in Global Sustainable Tourism Council
25 April 2024 - 20:37
Azerbaijani parliament condemns EP's biased resolution on human rights
25 April 2024 - 20:25
Putin calls on large businesses to traditionally take part in SPIEF 2024
25 April 2024 - 20:19
Iranian defense minister heads to Astana for SCO defense ministers' meeting
25 April 2024 - 19:59
Türkiye neutralises over 800 terrorists since early 2024
VIDEO25 April 2024 - 19:43
European Parliament urges member states not to consider Russian elections legitimate
25 April 2024 - 19:24
How Iran covers up damage from Israel’s strikes?
PHOTO25 April 2024 - 19:05
Palestinians retrieve 392 bodies from 3 mass graves in Gaza’s Khan Younis
25 April 2024 - 18:46
Iran to launch missiles anywhere in Israel if necessary, general warns
25 April 2024 - 18:27
Twenty border markers installed between Azerbaijan & Armenia
Delimitation progress25 April 2024 - 18:18
Dozens detained at protests in Armenia
25 April 2024 - 18:08
Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan expanding cooperation in space industry
25 April 2024 - 17:49
Controversial Nobel Peace Prize nominee Vardanyan faces int’l scrutiny & opposition
A closer look at actions contrary to peace & humanitarian efforts25 April 2024 - 17:31
Iran builds up military power by showing off advanced Bavar-373 air defence system
PHOTO25 April 2024 - 17:15
Presidents of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan visit Fuzuli, Aghdam cities
PHOTO25 April 2024 - 17:05
Lukashenko blames opposition and NATO: They want to take a district in Brest region by force
25 April 2024 - 17:00
Top Israeli, Egyptian officials secretly meet to discuss possible Rafah invasion
25 April 2024 - 16:41
Energy leading to peace
Proceeding from Azerbaijani President’s speech in ADA25 April 2024 - 16:22
“It would be a big mistake if Armenia used the support gained from the EU against Azerbaijan”
Amashov’s impromptu interview with Ambassador Sharp25 April 2024 - 16:16
Armenian Parliament speaker says legitimate border crucial for peace with Azerbaijan
25 April 2024 - 16:07
New mass grave discovered in Khojaly
Investigation underway / PHOTO25 April 2024 - 15:51
Port of Baku: the Eurasian trade hub working to expand and accelerate growth
Article by Euronews / VIDEO25 April 2024 - 15:39
Hybrid warfare being waged against Armenia, official says
25 April 2024 - 15:24
Azerbaijani police discover cache of weapons in Khankendi, linked to Armenian forces
25 April 2024 - 14:58
Zakharova slams Armenian media for distorting Russian leadership’s statements on Baku-Yerevan ties
25 April 2024 - 14:44
Baku, Budapest cement economic ties, sign protocol
25 April 2024 - 14:27
Yerevan ready to discuss gas purchase with Baku – Armenian Speaker
UPDATED25 April 2024 - 14:15
Azerbaijan set to take bold steps vis-à-vis climate change - minister
25 April 2024 - 14:09
Official: Hamas would lay down its weapons if two-state solution implemented
25 April 2024 - 13:54
Türkiye captures nearly 3,000 Islamic State suspects in 10 months
VIDEO25 April 2024 - 13:40
Blinken tours China to promote some ties
25 April 2024 - 13:26
Azerbaijani presidential aide showcases Fuzuli's rebirth in stirring social media video
25 April 2024 - 13:15