Rheinmetall to build new logistics centre at Kassel Airport: North Hesse Defence Hub
The State Government of Hesse and Rheinmetall are joining forces to enhance the economic landscape of North Hesse, developing it into a hub for innovation and defense. During a presentation on Thursday, 27 August 2026, at Kassel Airport, Minister-President Boris Rhein, Minister for Economic Affairs Kaweh Mansoori, and Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, unveiled a strategic plan and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set this initiative in motion.
With financial backing from the State of Hesse, Rheinmetall will establish a new logistics and technology centre at Kassel-Calden Airport, which includes an expansion of their existing site in Kassel and the local development of new technologies. This investment will reach a total of a three-digit million sum in euros, highlighting the scale of this project.
Spanning over 30,000 square metres, the logistics centre will represent one of Rheinmetall’s most significant infrastructure investments in Germany. Scheduled to be operational by the end of 2027, this facility is set to become a pivotal defense hub in Northern Hesse, driving job creation among partners and suppliers. The logistics centre aims to elevate Rheinmetall’s operational capacity significantly, ensuring efficient handling of both domestic and international orders. Enhanced infrastructure is expected to result in shorter processing times, optimized supply chains, and improved delivery quality, catering to the rising demand for Rheinmetall products.
In addition to the logistics centre, Rheinmetall plans to establish a drone test centre at the new Calden site, leveraging the airport’s unique conditions to further develop and test their drones. Kassel Airport provides distinct advantages compared to other airports, facilitating innovative drone testing, which is bolstered by the planned Hessian Drone Competence Centre.
Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein remarked, “Rheinmetall’s multi-million investment sends a strong signal for North Hesse as a center of innovation and defense. The North Hesse Defence Hub will integrate Kassel’s industrial strength with the strategic infrastructure of Kassel Airport. This investment will generate additional value and jobs, positioning our Defence Hub as a catalyst for growth in the robust region of North Hesse.”
Kaweh Mansoori, Minister for Economic Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized the strategic importance of North Hesse, stating, “A capable government must guarantee security through a strong, innovative economy. North Hesse is ideally positioned with its industrial strength, advanced research, and skilled workforce, and we are focused on further developing this potential.”
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, stated, “We view this investment as a strategic step towards securing significant orders for military vehicles anticipated both domestically and internationally. The new logistics centre is a crucial aspect of our growth strategy, particularly for our German customer, the Bundeswehr, and we appreciate the support from the State of Hesse.”
Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division, added, “We are establishing a new hub in the heart of Germany. With this new engineering, logistics, and support centre in Calden, we reaffirm the long-term sustainability of our Kassel site while ensuring efficient order processing and taking a responsible role in the regional economy.”
A thorough evaluation process led to the selection of Kassel Airport as the ideal location, considering its excellent transport links, proximity to the existing Rheinmetall plant in Kassel, and the availability of land for a large-scale facility.
Reducing Traffic Around Kassel
A critical goal of this investment is to alleviate factory traffic in the northern part of Kassel. By shifting logistical operations to the new centre at Kassel Airport, Rheinmetall aims to significantly decrease lorry and delivery traffic near the traditional factory site, thus enhancing the quality of life in the surrounding residential areas.
Job Creation in the Region
The development and functionality of the new logistics centre are set to create new job opportunities within the Kassel district. Rheinmetall is poised to reinforce its status as a major employer in the Kassel metropolitan region, with employment opportunities emerging across a range of professions from logistics to technical and administrative roles.
Furthermore, approximately 1,200 square metres within the Defence Hub will be designated as a training centre, providing initial and further training for staff from the Kassel plant and other Rheinmetall locations, enhancing the company’s commitment to skills development.
Rheinmetall in Kassel
The Kassel site of Rheinmetall Landsystems GmbH serves as a centre of excellence within Rheinmetall AG’s Vehicle Systems Europe division for the development, production, and maintenance of advanced tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles. Currently, around 2,200 employees operate at the Rheinmetall facility in Kassel.
