Volkswagen is in talks with Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems regarding a potential conversion of its Osnabrück plant to manufacture components for the Iron Dome air defense system. The discussions come as the company evaluates future prospects for the site, where vehicle production is set to end by 2027.
Under the proposed plan, the facility could produce supporting components such as transport vehicles, launch systems, and power units, while missile production itself would take place elsewhere. The initiative aims to provide new industrial perspectives and secure jobs at the site.
The potential shift reflects increasing defense investments across Europe and rising demand for air defense capabilities. Volkswagen emphasized that it does not plan to engage in direct weapons production and continues to assess different options for the long-term positioning of the Osnabrück plant.
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