Rheinmetall Expands Kassel Presence With New Logistics, Training and Drone Testing Facilities

Rheinmetall Expands Kassel Presence With New Logistics, Training and Drone Testing Facilities

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall and the State Government of Hesse have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a North Hesse Defence Hub, including a new logistics and technology centre at Kassel-Calden Airport, expansion of Rheinmetall’s existing Kassel site and local development of new defence technologies. Supported by funding from the State of Hesse, the project involves a three-digit million-euro investment and includes a logistics centre with more than 30,000 square metres of floor space, scheduled to become operational by the end of 2027. Rheinmetall said the facility will strengthen its operational capacity for domestic and international orders, shorten processing times, optimise supply chains and improve delivery quality, particularly in the tactical military vehicle sector and for the Bundeswehr. The company also plans a drone test centre at the new Calden site, while around 1,200 square metres will be dedicated to a training centre. The project is expected to create jobs, reduce logistics traffic around Rheinmetall’s existing northern Kassel plant and reinforce North Hesse as a regional centre for defence, innovation, industrial capability and future military technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 28-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall and the State Government of Hesse plan to work together to further develop North Hesse as a centre for defence, innovation and industrial growth.

The plans for the North Hesse Defence Hub were presented on 27 August 2026 at Kassel Airport by Boris Rhein, Minister-President of Hesse; Kaweh Mansoori, Minister for Economic Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Hesse; and Armin Papperger, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall AG.

The parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the planned cooperation.

With financial support from the State of Hesse, Rheinmetall will establish a new logistics and technology centre at Kassel-Calden Airport, expand its existing site in Kassel and develop new technologies in the region.

The total investment amounts to a three-digit million-euro sum.

The planned logistics centre will offer more than 30,000 square metres of floor space and will become one of Rheinmetall’s most significant infrastructure investments in Germany.

The facility is to be built in the municipality of Calden, close to Kassel Airport, and is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2027.

Rheinmetall said the project will create a defence hub in North Hesse with significance beyond the region, while also generating new jobs among partners and suppliers.

The new logistics centre is expected to significantly increase Rheinmetall’s operational capacity and support the efficient handling of domestic and international orders.

The company said the modern infrastructure will help shorten processing times, optimise supply chains and improve delivery quality.

These capabilities are becoming increasingly important as demand for Rheinmetall products grows.

The investment is also a key element of Rheinmetall’s growth strategy in the field of tactical military vehicles, particularly in support of the Bundeswehr.

Rheinmetall also plans to establish a drone test centre at the new site in Calden.

The company aims to use the site’s infrastructure and local conditions to support the further development and testing of Rheinmetall drones.

According to the company, Kassel Airport offers special opportunities for drone testing compared with other airports.

The planned Hessian Drone Competence Centre is also expected to provide Rheinmetall with an additional location advantage at the airport.

Hesse sees strategic role for Kassel-Calden

Minister-President Boris Rhein said Rheinmetall’s investment sends a strong signal for North Hesse as a centre of innovation and defence.

He said the North Hesse Defence Hub will connect Kassel’s industrial strength with the strategic infrastructure of Kassel Airport.

Rhein described Kassel-Calden as an important part of North Hesse’s transport infrastructure, serving general aviation and acting as a business hub.

He said the state also intends to strengthen the airport’s role as a military hub in the future, including for Bundeswehr training flights and for research and testing of new drone technologies.

Rhein added that the investment will create value and jobs and send a message of confidence during a challenging economic period.

He said the Defence Hub is intended to become a growth driver for North Hesse.

Kaweh Mansoori, Minister for Economic Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Hesse, said security requires a strong, innovative and resilient economy.

He said resilience depends on reliable structures, technological expertise and the capacity to act independently.

Mansoori said North Hesse offers strong conditions for this development, including industrial capacity, research excellence, innovative companies and a highly qualified workforce.

He said the project will strengthen Germany’s and Europe’s ability to act while securing jobs and value creation in the region.

Rheinmetall prepares for future military vehicle orders

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said the investment is a strategic move ahead of expected future orders in the military vehicle sector from Germany and international customers.

He said Rheinmetall is preparing for the future and strengthening its capabilities for the benefit of customers.

Papperger described the new logistics centre as a key element in Rheinmetall’s growth strategy for tactical vehicles, especially for its German customer, the Bundeswehr.

He also thanked the State of Hesse for its support for the project.

Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division, said the company is creating a new hub in the heart of Germany.

He said the new engineering, logistics and support centre in Calden, in the district of Kassel, sends a clear signal about the long-term future of Rheinmetall’s North Hesse site.

Bernhard said the project will support more efficient order processing while also demonstrating responsibility toward the region.

He thanked the city, the district of Kassel and the municipality of Calden for their support.

The location at Kassel Airport was chosen after a detailed analysis of possible alternatives.

Rheinmetall said the site’s transport connections, proximity to the existing Rheinmetall plant in Kassel’s Mittelfeld Industrial Park and availability of land for a large-scale facility were decisive factors.

Reducing traffic in northern Kassel

A further objective of the project is to reduce factory-related traffic around Rheinmetall’s existing plant in northern Kassel.

By relocating logistics processes and transport flows to the new centre at Kassel Airport, Rheinmetall aims to significantly reduce lorry and delivery traffic around the traditional factory site.

The company said this will not only benefit Rheinmetall’s operations, but also reduce traffic on nearby roads and in residential areas of Kassel.

Rheinmetall said the measure reflects its responsibilities as a regional employer and business partner and contributes to improving quality of life in the area.

New jobs and training capacity

The construction and operation of the new logistics centre will create additional jobs in the Kassel district during the construction phase and once the facility is operating.

The new roles will cover a wide range of skills, from logistics and warehouse specialists to technical and administrative positions.

Rheinmetall said the project strengthens its role as a major employer in the Kassel metropolitan region and confirms its commitment to North Hesse as a business location.

Around 1,200 square metres of the Defence Hub will be reserved for a training centre.

In future, employees from the Kassel plant and other Rheinmetall locations will receive initial and further training there.

Rheinmetall said Calden will therefore take on a strategic role as a centre of excellence within the Group, supporting company-wide skills development and staff development.

Rheinmetall in Kassel

The Kassel site of Rheinmetall Landsystems GmbH is the centre of excellence within Rheinmetall AG’s Vehicle Systems Europe division for the development, manufacture and maintenance of modern tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles.

The site also works on a wide range of integrated equipment packages.

Around 2,200 employees currently work at Rheinmetall’s Kassel site.

Media Contact:

Dr. Jan-Phillipp Weisswange
Deputy Head of Public Relations / Spokesperson Vehicle Systems & Weapon and Ammunition
Phone: +49 211 473-4287

SOURCE: Rheinmetall