Struggling VW’s Plant Could Be Repurposed To Produce Parts For The Iron Dome Air Defense System – Report

Struggling Volkswagen Plant in Germany could be repurposed to produce parts for the Iron Dome Air Defense System.

Iron Dome

VW is reportedly in talks with the Israeli defense firm, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, to convert its Osnabrück plant to produce parts for the Iron Dome air defense system, according to a report in the Financial Times (FT).

The plan involves repurposing VW’s Osnabrück plant in Germany, which is at risk of closure due to declining car sales and the end of current manufacturing contracts for Porsche and the T-Roc Cabriolet.

While the city where the plant is located is wrestling with the idea of switching to defense production, the German government is “actively supporting” the plan, according to the FT, citing a source familiar with the plan.

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“The production of weapons by Volkswagen AG remains ruled out for the future, and we do not engage in speculation regarding further plans for the Osnabrück site,” spokesperson for Volkswagen said in response to queries from DW.

“However, with the Osnabrück site scheduled to phase out its current production in 2027, the spokesperson said the company “continues to explore viable options” and is talking to various “market players.”

“This is part of an open review process for the period after 2027,” the spokesperson said. “There are currently no concrete decisions or conclusions regarding the future direction of the site. We are also keeping local employees informed about the status of this process.”

The alleged plan comes weeks after Volkswagen Group said it plans to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030, after profits hit their lowest level in a decade due to range of challenges, including increased competition from China.

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