The President of the Federal Office for Equipment, Information and Software Technology of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw), Anette Lehnigk-Emden, has indicated the possibility of major industrial companies, such as Volkswagen, contributing to the production of military equipment, including armored vehicles, should the need arise.
Speaking to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Lehnigk-Emden stated that companies like Volkswagen and John Deere possess the manufacturing capabilities for complex machinery, even extending to items like tanks and large gear systems. However, she emphasized that such a transition would require significant adjustments within the companies’ existing infrastructure.
Lehnigk-Emden highlighted particular challenges, notably the substantial weight differences between typical automotive or agricultural products and military vehicles. “There’s a difference between a product weighing one ton and one weighing 60 tons” she explained. Furthermore, specialized knowledge and expertise in tank construction are currently concentrated within a limited number of German companies, making a rapid shift to military production complex. “It’s not simply a matter of flipping a switch” she stated, adding that such a process would be considerably more involved, but feasible if required.
The defense manufacturer Rheinmetall has already expressed interest in utilizing Volkswagen’s Osnabrück plant for the production of military vehicles and Volkswagen has signaled an openness to exploring the possibility.
