The German technology giant Rheinmetall, headquartered in Düsseldorf, is expanding its operations by acquiring the military division of Lürssen Group, known as Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL). This move marks a significant entry for Rheinmetall into the shipbuilding sector, which will broaden its production offerings beyond traditional land systems.
The transaction, expected to be finalized in early 2026, involves the acquisition of all NVL locations and employees, who will be integrated as a separate division within the Rheinmetall Group. However, the operations of all companies within the Lürssen group will continue without any changes, including those in Croatia, at least for now.
NVL Croatia has been operating in Rijeka for several years, employing around 200 engineers who primarily work on the design and engineering of special high-performance vessels and on the development of innovations in the maritime sector, from customized and cost-effective solutions in shipbuilding to the development of advanced technologies and autonomous maritime systems.
– For employees in Croatia, everything remains the same. The Lürssen and NVL teams continue to collaborate closely on joint projects, with a focus on quality, deliveries, and commitment to common goals. The integration process of NVL into Rheinmetall will take place gradually, while Lürssen will fully focus on building civil megayachts and developing new technologies in that segment, which will further strengthen and position the companies in Croatia – stated representatives from the Lürssen group.
However, although the Croatian division is currently engaged only in civil shipbuilding, this does not mean that this will not change in the future, especially since Rheinmetall is primarily a company known for its products for the military industry.
Even this move, the acquisition of Lürssen Group, speaks volumes about the company’s strategic direction to engage in the maritime defense industry, and in this context, the strategic position of Rijeka and the Adriatic Sea where Lürssen operates is also important. The Lürssen Design Center Kvarner has so far provided high-quality engineering and design services for all Lürssen shipyards in Germany, from the design of new ships to modifications and complex conversions of existing vessels. Although Lürssen is known for luxury megayachts, its presence in Rijeka allows the company to develop advanced technologies, including autonomous maritime systems and the use of sustainable fuels, which can be effectively utilized for military purposes.
Turbulent History
It is worth recalling the turbulent history of Rheinmetall, which was founded in 1889 as ‘Rheinische Metallwaaren und Maschinenfabrik Actiengesellschaft’ in Düsseldorf. During World War I, it became one of the largest arms manufacturers in the German Empire, employing around eight thousand people at that time. By the end of the war, that number had increased to 48 thousand, of which there were even nine thousand women. After the war, due to the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, arms production was halted, and the company reoriented itself to produce civilian products such as locomotives, agricultural machinery, and office equipment.
In 1937, under the Nazi regime, Rheinmetall became the second-largest arms manufacturer in the Third Reich, just behind the German company Krupp. By 1939, the company employed again around eight thousand workers, and by the end of the war, the number of employees had risen to nearly 85 thousand, including a large number of forced laborers from Eastern and Southeastern Europe, including Croatia.
