Rheinmetall to Acquire Naval Vessels Lürssen in Germany

Rheinmetall has agreed to take over Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL BV & Co. KG, Bremen-Vegesack) and its subsidiaries, the shipbuilding arm of the family-owned group that is involved in military ships.

Both companies stated that the official signing of the agreement is imminent pending antitrust authority approval, with the transition set for early 2026. The price of purchase is not disclosed.

NVL has approximately 2,100 employees globally, has four yards in northern Germany, and had around €1 billion in sales in 2024. The company has constructed around 1,000 ships for over 50 navies and coast guards since its establishment almost 150 years ago.

Rheinmetall presently provides simulation solutions, maritime defense systems, and system components for naval systems. With NVL, the firm intends to expand into total naval solutions, such as ships, sensors, missile systems, and combat management systems.

It also identifies synergies between NVL's shipyards and Rheinmetall's current vehicle production sites in northern Germany, such as Kiel and Flensburg, based on shared expertise and utilization of infrastructure.