Rheinmetall and the Hesse government formalised the North Hesse Defence Hub project in a memorandum of understanding signed on 27 August.
The new centre will provide more than 30,000 square metres of floor space and is scheduled to begin operating by the end of 2027.
Kassel Airport was selected because it offers transport connections, available land and proximity to Rheinmetall’s existing plant in the Mittelfeld Industrial Park.
The logistics investment is designed to shorten order-processing times, streamline supply chains and improve deliveries to domestic and international customers.
“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,” said Armin Papperger, Chief Executive of Rheinmetall AG.
“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,” Papperger said.
Rheinmetall also plans to establish a drone test centre in Calden, using the airport’s infrastructure and local operating conditions for development and testing.
The planned Hessian Drone Competence Centre is expected to add further drone research and testing capacity at the site.
“Furthermore, we are intending to establish it even more firmly in future as a military hub, for Bundeswehr training flights and for research into and testing of new drone technologies,” said Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein.
The project will create jobs during construction and operation across logistics, warehousing, technical and administrative roles.
A 1,200-square-metre training centre will provide initial and further training for employees from Kassel and other Rheinmetall locations.
Moving logistics activity to Kassel Airport is also intended to reduce lorry and delivery traffic around Rheinmetall’s existing factory in northern Kassel.
The current Kassel plant employs about 2,200 people and develops, manufactures and maintains tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles.
