The State Government of Hesse and Rheinmetall intend to work together to further develop and economically strengthen North Hesse as a centre for innovation and defence. Minister-President Boris Rhein, Minister for Economic Affairs Kaweh Mansoori and Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, presented the plans for the ‘North Hesse Defence Hub’ on Thursday, 27 August 2026, at Kassel Airport. They also signed a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding. With funding from the State of Hesse, Rheinmetall will establish a new logistics and technology centre at Kassel-Calden Airport, expand its site in Kassel and develop new technologies locally. The total investment amounts to a three-digit million sum in millions of euros.
With an available floor area of over 30,000 square metres, the logistics centre will be one of the Group’s most significant infrastructure investments in Germany. The facility, which is to be built in the municipality of Calden in the very close vicinity of Kassel Airport, is scheduled to be operational at the end of 2027. This will create a defence hub in Northern Hesse that will have significance far beyond the region and generate new jobs among partners and suppliers. The new logistics centre is set to significantly boost the company’s operational capacity and ensure the efficient processing of both domestic and international orders. The modern infrastructure will enable shorter processing times, optimised supply chains and higher delivery quality – factors that are of crucial importance given the growing demand for Rheinmetall products.
Furthermore, Rheinmetall is planning to establish a drone test centre at its new site in Calden. The aim is to capitalise on the site’s infrastructural advantages, combined with the unique local conditions, for the further development and testing of Rheinmetall drones. Unlike other airports, Kassel Airport offers unique opportunities for drone testing. The planned Hessian Drone Competence Centre also provides Rheinmetall with a valuable locational advantage at the airport.
Armin Papperger, Chief Executive of Rheinmetall AG, said: “We regard this investment as a strategic move with a view to significant orders in the field of military vehicles, which we can expect to receive in future from both Germany and abroad. We are preparing for the future and ae strengthening our capabilities for the benefit of our customers. The new logistics centre is a key element of Rheinmetall’s growth strategy in the tactical vehicle sector, particularly for our German customer – the Bundeswehr. We are especially grateful to the State of Hesse for the support we have received for this project.”
Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division: “We are creating a new hub in the heart of Germany. With the new engineering, logistics and support centre in Calden, in the district of Kassel, we are sending a clear signal regarding the long-term viability of our site in North Hesse. Not only are we laying the foundations for even more efficient order processing, but we are also taking responsibility for the region. I would also like to thank the town, the district of Kassel and the municipality of Calden, as they are all supporting us to the best of their ability”.
The site at Kassel Airport was selected following a thorough analysis of possible alternatives. The good transportation links, the proximity to the existing Rheinmetall plant in Kassel (Mittelfeld Industrial Park) and the availability of land for a large-scale facility were clear arguments in favour of this site. Another key objective of the investment is to achieve a noticeable reduction in factory traffic in the area around the existing Rheinmetall plant in the northern part of Kassel. By relocating logistical processes and transport flows to the new centre at Kassel Airport, the aim is to significantly reduce lorry and delivery traffic around the traditional factory site.
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