Rheinmetall CEO: robotic weapons are coming, but not yet ready
Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger discussed Germany's rearmament pace, missile shortages and the company's future plans, including humanoid robot development. He said Rheinmetall is simultaneously scaling up ammunition output and investing in space technology.
German defence manufacturer Rheinmetall's CEO Armin Papperger says missile and warhead stockpiles remain worryingly low, since such weapons cannot be produced quickly. The company has therefore launched a major investment programme, though bottlenecks persist in rocket motor and warhead supply.
Skyranger and new weapons systems
On the Skyranger air-defence system, Papperger confirmed series deliveries will begin in 2027 as contracted, despite minor delays involving chassis, radar technology and missile integration. From the end of next year, the company aims to be able to build up to 400 units annually. Rheinmetall is also finalising joint ventures with Destinus on artillery rockets and with Lockheed Martin on cruise missiles, with the first orders expected by the end of this year or early next year.
Asked whether simpler, mass-produced systems—as Ukraine's war has demonstrated—might be preferable, Papperger argued that Skyranger offers capabilities simpler systems cannot match, such as intercepting missiles travelling at Mach 3.
Jobs and production capacity
Rheinmetall currently employs around 34,000 people, growing by roughly 10,000 net annually, with a goal of reaching 70,000 by 2030 and supporting another 210,000 jobs through its supply chain. Ammunition output has surged in recent years: medium-calibre rounds rose from under one million to four million, artillery shells from 70,000 to 1.5 million, and tank ammunition to 240,000 units. The company has a six-year, 30-billion-euro investment programme underway.
Future technologies
Papperger confirmed Rheinmetall is developing humanoid robots at a research centre in Bremen, though no products are yet ready for series production. The company is also investing heavily in space technology, including satellite construction and data processing. He said future combined-arms combat will require a shifting mix of artillery, armoured vehicles, ammunition, drones and missiles rather than reliance on any single system.
