Rheinmetall's Factory Footprint Widens as Arson Probe and a Trimmed Target Test Investor Nerves
Published on 10/30/2026 at 14:21 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Three pieces of construction machinery burned overnight on a Rheinmetall site at Kassel-Calden airport, and police are treating the blaze as deliberate. The state security service is examining whether a political motive was behind the fire, according to media reports. The affected ground is where Rheinmetall intends to base logistics operations and drone facilities — a plan now shadowed by the investigation.
Shares in the defence group slipped 1.7% to €1,035.80 on the day the arson report surfaced.
Shipbuilding push takes shape in Romania
Far from Hesse, Rheinmetall is pressing ahead with its naval ambitions. Together with Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Düsseldorf-based firm won the auction for Romania's Mangalia shipyard, with the partners putting the joint purchase price at roughly €138 million. The two intend to develop the site for both civilian and military vessel construction.
Rheinmetall has said the deal should close within a few weeks — meaning the auction victory does not yet mark completion of the acquisition. The sources differ on the exact date of the win, placing it on 19 or 20 October. The company will also use the Euronaval exhibition, running from 3 to 6 November 2026, to unveil a portfolio aimed at future naval forces.
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Armoured vehicles: 69 Schakal units ordered
On land, OCCAR has placed an additional order with Artec — the joint venture of Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland — for Schakal wheeled infantry fighting vehicles. The package covers 69 vehicles, 35 of them destined for the Bundeswehr and the remaining 34 for the Dutch armed forces. Rheinmetall values its own share of the contract in the mid-three-digit million euro range, with deliveries scheduled between May 2032 and November 2033.
Manufacturing capacity is expanding too. A little over a week ago the group opened its UK Gun Hall in Telford, a facility built to produce large-calibre gun barrels and breeches, including systems in 120 and 155 millimetre calibres.
Lithuania clears environmental hurdle
Rheinmetall's planned ammunition plant in the Radviliškis district of Lithuania has moved a step closer after the environmental authority approved the impact assessment, according to media reports. The regulator concluded that no significant environmental effects are expected from the project, which is being pursued by Rheinmetall Defence Lietuva together with Epso-G Invest.
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Analyst note and an unconfirmed Italian report
Deutsche Bank Research has cut its price target on the stock while leaving its rating at "Buy" — so the recommendation remains to purchase despite the lower objective. Separately, Reuters reported about a week ago, citing the Italian newspaper MF, that the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture had secured two army contracts worth a combined $4.16 billion. The award was not officially confirmed and Rheinmetall declined to comment on the report.
Investors get their next hard data point on 5 November 2026, when the company publishes its third-quarter 2026 results.
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