The automotive group Volkswagen is examining a potential repurposing of its plant in Osnabrück. The move follows discussions with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems on the production of components for the Iron Dome missile defense system. The facility currently manufactures vehicles such as the T-Roc Cabriolet, but weak demand and increasing competition—particularly from low-cost imports from China—have prompted the company to seek new uses for the site.
According to the plans, components for the defense system could be produced within 12 to 18 months, provided the workforce agrees to transition to arms manufacturing. The production scope would include carrier vehicles, launch systems, and generators. The missiles themselves, however, would be manufactured at a separate, specialized facility in Germany.
The potential conversion is linked to rising demand for interceptor systems, as Israel, the United States, and allied countries in the Gulf region have depleted their stockpiles through the use of such systems against missiles and drones.
Source: Zerohedge