Rheinmetall chief urges Germany to match US to lead Europe’s defence build-up

Germany must not develop an inferiority complex toward the United States if it is to play a leading role in Europe’s rearmament drive and emerge as a “reliable partner” for Washington, according to the head of the country’s largest defence contractor.

“We must not be, like we say, ‘a small boy who is working with a big giant,’” Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger told Breaking Defense at the DSEI trade show in London. “We must be on the same level as the United States of America and Europe. Germany has to play its role,” in defending the continent.

His comments come as Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who before taking office criticised US President Donald Trump’s “America first” approach, has hinted at preparing for a “worst case scenario” where Washington may no longer be seen as a trusted ally.

Papperger pushed back against suggestions that Berlin should seek full independence from Washington.

“Chancellor Mertz now will invest the money, and the whole government will invest the money,” he said of Berlin’s plans to boost defence spending. “So I think that Germany, but also Europe … will grow up to be a reliable partner of the United States.”

Trump’s pressure on NATO allies to increase contributions has led most members to commit to spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence and an additional 1.5 per cent on related infrastructure.

Papperger said Germany is now investing “more than the rest of Europe,” with years of underfunding in the armed forces being “fixed” under a finance ministry plan to raise the military budget to €160 billion by 2029.

Rheinmetall, which maintains close industrial ties with Lockheed Martin, showcased its strengthened partnership at DSEI this week by unveiling a next-generation “missile tank destroyer” demonstrator. The land system combines a 6×6 Fuchs armored vehicle with Hellfire Longbow and Joint Air to Ground Munition (JAGM) missiles.

The collaboration adds to existing joint programs, including the F-35 fighter jet and the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS).

“We make a Europeanisation of that stuff,” Papperger said. “It’s not that we buy American technology, it’s that we implement American technology into Europe.”

He warned that relying solely on homegrown defence solutions would slow Europe’s readiness.

“If you want to make a R and D [Research and Design] program in Europe to build up everything … you are not [going to be] ready in 10 years,” he said.

Rheinmetall has so far produced three F-35A fuselages for non-US customers at a new facility in North Rhine-Westphalia, with a formal opening planned within six weeks. The company has pledged to manufacture at least 400 fuselages in total.

By Sabina Mammadli