Hungary to extend cooperation with German defence industry giant Rheinmetall
18. 05. 2021.
On Tuesday in the Carmelite Monastery, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received Armin Papperger, Chairman of the German automotive and defence industry company group Rheinmetall AG with whom he had talks about the production of the new-generation Lynx combat vehicles in Hungary, defence industry research and development, and the strengthening of Hungary’s defence capabilities and economy, Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief informed the Hungarian news agency MTI.
Photo: Zoltán Fischer

The top executive of the Düsseldorf-based company is currently having talks in Hungary about the extension of relations as part of a strategic partnership. During the visit, the parties signed cooperation agreements about the joint development and production of short-range air defence weapon systems, turret guns and special medium-calibre grenades.

Mr Havasi said at the Tuesday meeting with the Prime Minister, which was also attended by Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics and Government Commissioner Gáspár Maróth, the parties discussed the regional strategy of the Rheinmetall Hungary joint venture. They explored possibilities of involving other countries as partners in this unique initiative in Europe.

The parties agreed that the joint projects that they have embarked upon, including the Lynx combat vehicle factory that is being built in Zalaegerszeg, greatly facilitate Hungary’s economic, industrial and technological development as well as job creation. These projects significantly contribute not only to Hungary’s sovereignty, but equally to the development of European defence capabilities, and in consequence to the attainment of strategic autonomy, the press chief said.