German Defense Contractor Claims EU Weapons Stocks Are Depleted
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger emphasizes that Brussels should boost defense spending, regardless of a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Rheinmetall’s CEO has called on the European Union to increase its weapons spending amid concerns over a potential threat from Russia.
Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German defense contractor Rheinmetall, highlighted that the EU's arms stockpiles have been significantly depleted due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, leaving the region vulnerable. His remarks were made in an interview with the Financial Times, published on Monday. The interview takes place against the backdrop of renewed attempts for US-Russia dialogue, with the two nations conducting their first meeting since the onset of the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday.
During the Munich Security Conference, Papperger, who leads a prominent Western supplier of military equipment to Ukraine, noted that there would be a continued high demand for arms in the region, regardless of the outcome of any peace negotiations. He emphasized that “The Europeans and the Ukrainians have nothing in their depots,” highlighting the low stockpiles of arms among NATO allies.
Papperger further cautioned that even if the war in Ukraine reaches an end, “if we think that we have a very peaceful future, I think that’s wrong.” He argued that despite a more than 30% increase in EU defense spending between 2021 and 2024, it remains inadequate to face current security challenges. He believes Rheinmetall would benefit even from a potential ceasefire as the EU would persist in its investments in defense amidst concerns over Russian aggression.
The executive criticized European nations for not investing sufficiently in defense over the years, which he said contributed to their exclusion from the Riyadh talks on Tuesday. Neither Ukraine nor NATO allies from Europe were invited to the discussions aimed at initiating the conflict resolution process between Russia and the US.
These comments from Papperger come at a time when the US is signaling a desire to reduce its military involvement in the region once a potential ceasefire is achieved. The intention appears to be shifting the responsibility for supporting Ukraine onto its regional allies.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated last week that without NATO security guarantees, Ukraine would need to grow its military to 1.5 million personnel, which would require a 50% increase in funding to maintain.
Rheinmetall has emerged as one of the key beneficiaries during this period of escalating global instability. Papperger projected that the company's annual sales could soar to between €30 billion and €40 billion within the next five years, a dramatic increase from the $6 billion reported in 2021, prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. The German arms manufacturer has noted that the ongoing conflict has “significantly improved business performance.”
Moscow has consistently condemned the flow of Western arms to Ukraine, asserting that these shipments merely extend the conflict without altering its outcome while heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German defense contractor Rheinmetall, highlighted that the EU's arms stockpiles have been significantly depleted due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, leaving the region vulnerable. His remarks were made in an interview with the Financial Times, published on Monday. The interview takes place against the backdrop of renewed attempts for US-Russia dialogue, with the two nations conducting their first meeting since the onset of the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday.
During the Munich Security Conference, Papperger, who leads a prominent Western supplier of military equipment to Ukraine, noted that there would be a continued high demand for arms in the region, regardless of the outcome of any peace negotiations. He emphasized that “The Europeans and the Ukrainians have nothing in their depots,” highlighting the low stockpiles of arms among NATO allies.
Papperger further cautioned that even if the war in Ukraine reaches an end, “if we think that we have a very peaceful future, I think that’s wrong.” He argued that despite a more than 30% increase in EU defense spending between 2021 and 2024, it remains inadequate to face current security challenges. He believes Rheinmetall would benefit even from a potential ceasefire as the EU would persist in its investments in defense amidst concerns over Russian aggression.
The executive criticized European nations for not investing sufficiently in defense over the years, which he said contributed to their exclusion from the Riyadh talks on Tuesday. Neither Ukraine nor NATO allies from Europe were invited to the discussions aimed at initiating the conflict resolution process between Russia and the US.
These comments from Papperger come at a time when the US is signaling a desire to reduce its military involvement in the region once a potential ceasefire is achieved. The intention appears to be shifting the responsibility for supporting Ukraine onto its regional allies.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated last week that without NATO security guarantees, Ukraine would need to grow its military to 1.5 million personnel, which would require a 50% increase in funding to maintain.
Rheinmetall has emerged as one of the key beneficiaries during this period of escalating global instability. Papperger projected that the company's annual sales could soar to between €30 billion and €40 billion within the next five years, a dramatic increase from the $6 billion reported in 2021, prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. The German arms manufacturer has noted that the ongoing conflict has “significantly improved business performance.”
Moscow has consistently condemned the flow of Western arms to Ukraine, asserting that these shipments merely extend the conflict without altering its outcome while heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
