Croatia's DOK-ING Becomes Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles Ltd After German Group Takes Majority Stake
Croatian robotics and unmanned systems company DOK-ING has officially begun operating as Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles Ltd after Germany's Rheinmetall acquired a 51% majority stake.
Croatia's DOK-ING has officially started operating as Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles Ltd following the completion of a strategic partnership with German defense and technology group Rheinmetall.
The Düsseldorf-based company has acquired a 51% majority stake in DOK-ING, while founder Vjekoslav Majetić retains a 49% ownership share. The new structure gives Rheinmetall control of one of Croatia's most prominent defense technology companies, while preserving its engineering base and core competencies in Croatia.
The transaction is more than a corporate name change. It places a Croatian unmanned systems specialist inside Rheinmetall's wider industrial network at a time when European defense companies are expanding investment in robotics, autonomy, and unmanned land platforms.
DOK-ING has spent more than three decades developing remotely operated and unmanned systems for high-risk environments. Its platforms have been used in areas such as mine clearance, military engineering, emergency response, and critical infrastructure protection.
According to the company, the partnership combines Rheinmetall's experience in tactical vehicles with DOK-ING's expertise in unmanned systems. This could support the development of new robotic ground platforms for military and civilian users, including systems designed to reduce risk to personnel in dangerous operational environments.
For Croatia, the deal strengthens the country's role in the European defense industrial base. Rather than moving the company's technical capabilities abroad, the new structure keeps development, engineering, and specialized know-how in Croatia while linking them to one of Germany's largest defense manufacturers.
The launch of Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles Ltd also reflects a wider shift in Europe's defense market. As NATO members increase spending and seek more advanced land systems, companies with proven unmanned technology are becoming increasingly important to future procurement and industrial programs.
For Rheinmetall, the Croatian company adds a specialized unmanned ground systems capability to its portfolio. For DOK-ING, the partnership provides access to greater industrial resources, broader markets, and potential integration into larger European defense programs.
