Rheinmetall announces the complete takeover of Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL), the military division of the Lürssen Group, on 2 March. The transaction was closed on 1 March 2026 and marks a strategic milestone for the defence group: Rheinmetall is growing from a supplier of marine equipment to a fully-fledged shipbuilder.

Facts of the takeover

Rheinmetall acquires NVL including all subsidiaries: shipyards in Bremen-Vegesack (headquarters), Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg and Wolgast. The company employs around 2,100 people and is expected to generate sales of 1.3 billion euros in the current year 2025. The purchase price remains confidential in accordance with the contract. NVL specialises in naval vessels such as frigates, corvettes, patrol boats and mine countermeasures units - for customers in Germany, Europe and worldwide. The Bremen-based company has also recently become involved in the field of surface drones - via a joint venture with the British Kraken Technology Group.

On the website of Rheinmetall it can be read that NVL is the Naval Systems Division of the Rheinmetall AG - and will therefore be responsible for maritime solutions in surface shipbuilding. It continues: „The Naval Systems division (managed by NVL B.V. & Co. KG) is a division of the Rheinmetall AG and responsible for maritime solutions in surface shipbuilding. The division includes four highly specialised shipyards in northern Germany: Blohm+Voss and the Norderwerft shipyard in Hamburg, the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast and the Neue Jadewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven.“

Strategic context and implications

The step fits into Rhine metals Growth course amid rising defence budgets. The Group is already active in maritime defence. The spectrum of systems on offer ranges from sensor and command systems, air defence, naval weapons and ammunition to special systems for combating sea mines, protection systems and simulators for surface ships and submarines. Now integrated Rheinmetall also naval shipbuilding. The aim: complete systems for NATO formations, autonomous platforms and coastal defence. In times of geopolitical tensions, this strengthens European defence autonomy. For the industry, this means consolidation: Rheinmetall combines NVL's expertise with its own system components. In future, Lürssen will focus on yachts and civilian projects.

Text: hum / editorially abridged