Among the guests of honor at the opening of the company Rheinmetall's factory were Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil – both social democrats – and NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Berlin has several times marked the need for a military buildup after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – and the American President Donald Trump's marking that Europe must take greater responsibility for its defense.
Rheinmetall's CEO Armin Papperger said that the factory is a "direct result" of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz's turnaround in the country's defense policy.
Building this factory proves that Germany can get things done when it matters, said Papperger.
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