German defence prime Rheinmetall has agreed terms with Lürssen Group on the acquisition of NVL, the military division of the Bremen shipyard.
The purchase price is not being divulged by either party; the firms hope to rubber-stamp the deal in early 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
By buying NVL the Düsseldorf-based group is expanding its portfolio to include naval shipbuilding, consolidating its position as a major defence technology supplier, both domestically and across Europe.
NVL builds a wide range of naval ships, including frigates, corvettes, minesweepers, minehunters, offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), fast patrol boats, and specialized support vessels such as the Naval Tender Vessel (NTV) 130.
It is particularly known for its work with the German Navy, such as the F125 frigate class and the new Type 424 intelligence vessels, and caters to a broad spectrum of naval needs for various navies and coast guards.
CEO of NVL Tim Wagner commented: “We are delighted with the successful consolidation talks with Rheinmetall and look forward to a future of strong growth.
“I am convinced that, together with our strong team of shipbuilding experts, we can reach entirely new dimensions under the umbrella of Rheinmetall — this applies to our growth course, our technological potential and, in particular, to our country’s defence capabilities.”
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, declared: “We are creating a naval powerhouse in Germany… In future, we will be a relevant player on land, on water, in the air and in space.”
He added: “Combined with Rheinmetall’s expertise, we are creating a vital German powerhouse for state-of-the-art vessels. The combined capabilities of Rheinmetall and NVL will generate mutual growth and thus strengthen our corporation’s position in the naval sphere.
“At the same time, we are making a substantial contribution to strengthening the naval defence capabilities of Germany and its NATO allies.”
- You can read more details on the Rheinmetall website