Closing completed: Rheinmetall acquires majority stake in DOK-ING
The Düsseldorf-based technology firm Rheinmetall has concluded the acquisition of a majority stake in DOK-ING, a Croatian company specializing in unmanned vehicles. This acquisition allows Rheinmetall to further enhance its portfolio in the unmanned systems sector. DOK-ING will now operate under the name “Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles d.o.o.”
In March 2023, Rheinmetall signed an agreement in Zagreb to acquire 51 percent of the innovative Croatian company, while its founder, Vjekoslav Majetić, retains the remaining 49 percent. The details of the purchase price have not been disclosed.
The integration of Rheinmetall’s expertise in tactical vehicles with DOK-ING’s unmanned systems capabilities creates a formidable base of competence with significant potential for future developments. The collaboration will focus on DOK-ING’s advanced Komodo platform, a modular heavy-duty hybrid vehicle designed to carry over 8.5 tonnes. Rheinmetall will contribute various functional modules and equipment kits for diverse operations, including systems for direct and indirect fire, mine-clearing, reconnaissance, and logistics. Together, these leading European firms plan to embark on ambitious projects, set industry benchmarks, and advance unmanned ground systems for series production and deployment.
Dr. Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Europe division, highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership: “We can now establish our competence centre in Croatia in the field of unmanned and autonomous vehicles for military purposes. With this new setup, we aim to achieve a strong market position in the segment of unmanned combat and armoured support vehicles. We see growth potential in this future market, and, at the same time, we are establishing a foothold in Croatia, an EU and NATO partner country and a highly attractive customer market.”
DOK-ING has established a solid market presence in land-based unmanned mine clearance and operations within hazardous environments. Since its inception, the company has delivered approximately 500 platforms to over 40 countries. DOK-ING’s mine-clearing solutions are currently demonstrating effectiveness, particularly in Ukraine.
Vjekoslav Majetić, the founder of DOK-ING, reaffirmed his vision upon the signing of the agreement in March: “This step ensures that DOK-ING’s development, engineering excellence, and core competencies will remain in Croatia. By joining forces with Rheinmetall, we can expand our production capacities, accelerate the development of next-generation unmanned specialized systems, and strengthen our long-term competitiveness. This will reinforce Croatia’s role within the European defence and technology landscape.”
Both DOK-ING and Rheinmetall have plans to develop a suite of solutions for combat and combat support operations. This includes a project for an unmanned armed support system, referred to as ‘Wingman,’ which is intended to be used in conjunction with battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles for reconnaissance and fire-support applications. These systems will complement existing Rheinmetall products, such as the Panther KF51 Main Battle Tank, the Büffel/Buffalo recovery tank, and the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle.
Rheinmetall AG is an integrated technology group headquartered in Düsseldorf. Established in 1889, it is a leading international systems house for the defence industry, covering land, air, sea, and space domains. Sustainability is central to Rheinmetall’s strategy. With a workforce of around 44,000 employees across approximately 180 sites worldwide, the company has been listed on the DAX 40 since March 2023, generating sales of €9.8 billion in the 2024 financial year.
DOK-ING is a technology-focused enterprise specializing in the design and manufacture of advanced unmanned systems for use in hazardous environments. Its core offerings include remotely operated and increasingly autonomous platforms for humanitarian and military demining, military engineering tasks, CBRN response, and critical infrastructure protection. DOK-ING’s solutions are built on modular and scalable architectures, enabling swift mission-specific configuration for various operational requirements, including mine clearance and IED disposal. Committed to safety, reliability, and operational excellence, DOK-ING delivers proven systems that enhance force protection and reduce human exposure to dangerous situations for armed forces, civil protection authorities, and specialized security operators globally.
