Weapons company - In the Kreml's Sights? Rheinmetall-CEO Needs Protection
The CEO of the largest German arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, has reportedly come under the scrutiny of Moscow, according to a media report by CNN. US intelligence services allegedly discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate the German manager earlier this year. Informed sources claim that he has been receiving "massive personal protection" for months. The Kremlin denied the alleged assassination plans.
At a public appearance in Düsseldorf in May, Papperger was accompanied by several civilian policemen, and police cars and patrol officers were stationed near the door. The authorities provided "a high level of security for my person," the 61-year-old told the "Financial Times" after the CNN report about the alleged Russian plans became public. He feels safe and considers himself "a very lucky man."
Papperger plays a unique role in the German arms industry. On the one hand, his company is the undisputed market leader among domestic weapons manufacturers. On the other hand, he stands out among other arms managers by actively seeking the limelight and granting interviews.
He consistently explains that defense goods are crucial for upholding Western values and that his company contributes to this effort. Recently, he was asked about his greatest success in the previous business year. "My greatest success experience was helping Ukraine as much as we could," Papperger said. "These people are fighting for Europe's freedom with their blood." Rheinmetall was able to provide "extremely much" to Ukraine. Such statements indicate that Rheinmetall could be a thorn in the Kremlin's side.
Weapons deliveries on a grand scale
The list of military goods from Rheinmetall production that the German government purchased and then shipped to Ukraine is long. It includes tanks, anti-aircraft guns, and especially the extremely important artillery ammunition. In June, Rheinmetall opened a repair workshop for armored vehicles in western Ukraine. Plans also include producing tanks on-site in the war-torn country.
In the ammunition sector, Rheinmetall has significantly expanded its production capacity, making it the largest manufacturer of artillery ammunition in the Western world. Before the Ukraine conflict, only 70,000 rounds per year in the 155-millimeter caliber were produced, but this is expected to increase to 1.1 million rounds by 2027. A significant portion of the current production is being sent to Ukraine.
As a result of the Ukraine conflict, the company's order books are full, and sales are increasing rapidly. Thanks to the robust growth, the company has now joined the upper German stock index DAX.
Sponsoring to polish corporate image
The company now uses its full coffers for extensive sponsoring in professional sports, such as Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. This is intended to improve the corporate image and contribute to the perception that arms producers are not considered a nuisance in German business circles but rather as suppliers of products essential for maintaining security and freedom in the Western world.
If CNN report is accurate, Rheinmetall would not be facing the first Russian threat, according to the given text. In March 2023, Papperger publicly announced plans to build a tank factory in Ukraine. Russian ex-president Dmitri Medvedev threatened to bomb the facilities with Russian marching missiles.
Kremlin Response
The Kremlin dismissed reports of alleged Russian attack plans against the Rheinmetall CEO. It's very difficult to comment on such rumors that are based on anonymous sources without serious justification, said Kreml spokesperson Dmitri Peskov. "All this is being churned out in the style of further fakes, so such reports cannot be taken seriously."
German Politicians React
German politicians expressed concern over the alleged attack plan, with FDP Bundestag member Reinhard Houben calling for a special session of the Bundessicherheitsrat. Bundesinnenministerin Nancy Faeser (SPD) stated, "We do not comment on individual threat situations." However, it's clear that we take the significantly increased threat from Russian aggression very seriously.
Arson at Greenhouse
Papperger experienced another form of threat in April when his greenhouse suddenly caught fire and later an incriminating letter from the far-left scene appeared. The damage was minimal.
When asked about this, Papperger remained calm and told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" that business critics had "smashed the podium" at shareholder meetings in the past. With the alleged attack plan from Russia, the threat potential reaches an entirely new, alarming intensity.
- Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, a prominent armaments company based in Germany, has reportedly attracted attention from the Kremlin.
- The alleged assassination plans against Papperger were denied by the Kremlin, with spokesperson Dmitri Peskov dismissing the reports as unfounded.
- Amid these allegations, Papperger expressed his gratitude for the "massive personal protection" he has been receiving for months.
- The Russian government's supposed interest in Papperger stems from his role in the German armaments industry, particularly his company's significant contributions to Ukraine's military efforts.
- Rheinmetall's deliveries to Ukraine include tanks, anti-aircraft guns, and artillery ammunition, with plans underway to establish a tank factory and repair workshop within the conflict zone.
- The company's expansion of artillery ammunition production has made Rheinmetall the largest manufacturer in the Western world, with a significant portion of the production destined for Ukraine.
- The political and financial impact of the Ukraine conflict has resulted in a surge in Rheinmetall's sales, enabling it to join the renowned German stock index DAX.
- In an effort to improve its corporate image, Rheinmetall has heavily invested in sports sponsorships, including Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
- In response to the CNN report and the alleged Russian threat, German politicians have expressed concern and taken steps to address the increased threat from Russian aggression.
