Rheinmetall Plans Naval Division Acquisition from Lürssen by 2026

Rheinmetall, Germany's largest defense contractor, has agreed to acquire Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL), the military division of the Bremen-based shipyard group Lürssen, with the deal expected to close in early 2026 pending antitrust approval. This strategic acquisition will allow Rheinmetall to expand into naval shipbuilding, complementing its existing defense technology portfolio in land and maritime sectors, where it already supplies naval guns and laser modules. NVL, which specializes in designing and manufacturing naval and government vessels, operates four shipyards in northern Germany and has international locations, employing over 2,100 people with revenues around one billion euros in 2024. Rheinmetall plans to leverage this acquisition to meet rising naval defense demand and procurement budgets by offering advanced system solutions with modern digital infrastructure covering platforms, electronics, sensors, and effectors. The purchase price has not been disclosed, but considering the scale of both companies, it is expected to be substantial. Rheinmetall, a key supplier to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, aims to strengthen its position as a leading defense technology provider in Germany and Europe through this deal.