Rheinmetall CEO Papperger is open to possible state involvement
The CEO of defense conglomerate Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, is open to the possibility of state involvement in the company. "Why not?" he told broadcasters RTL and ntv in response to media reports, first published in the Düsseldorf-based "Handelsblatt".
These reports refer to the government's planned security and defense strategy, which reportedly includes state participation in German defense companies to strengthen them. The government is currently discussing a draft of the strategy internally, but the official interdepartmental consultation has not yet taken place.
"The updated version of the strategy paper for strengthening the security and defense industry is currently being developed by the federal government departments," the Federal Ministry of Economics explained in response to a query. "This process is still ongoing," so no details can yet be provided, including the date for cabinet consideration.
"Even the Federal Chancellor could buy Rheinmetall shares," said Papperger about the possibility of state involvement. He would welcome this, as "that would certainly be stabilizing for the share price." Regarding reports of Russian plans to assassinate him, the company CEO remained calm. "I have great bodyguards," he told RTL and ntv.
"Why is the government considering state participation in German defense companies?" one might ask, given the CEO's openness to the idea."Why would Armin Papperger see state involvement as stabilizing for Rheinmetall's share price?" inquired someone else, after his statement about the potential Chancellor's investment.
