Rheinmetall outlines €600 million investment vision for Croatia with up to 1,000 new jobs
Rheinmetall has presented plans to expand its industrial footprint in Croatia through its partnership with DOK-ING, outlining a long-term investment program that could reach €600 million.
German defense company Rheinmetall has unveiled an ambitious long-term industrial strategy for Croatia that includes potential investments of between €500 million and €600 million and the creation of around 1,000 new jobs over the next five years.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles d.o.o., the company's new joint venture with Croatian unmanned systems manufacturer DOK-ING. Rheinmetall described the new entity as the foundation of a broader strategic industrial partnership with Croatia focused on the development and production of advanced unmanned defense technologies.
According to Rheinmetall, Croatia is expected to play a larger role within the group's European industrial network by supporting research, development, manufacturing, and exports of autonomous and uncrewed systems. The company said it intends to integrate Croatian suppliers, research institutions, universities, and shipyards into its wider defense programs.
Company officials indicated that the investment program is intended to support research and development, expand production capacity, and increase annual revenues generated by the Croatian business. Media reports from the inauguration stated that Rheinmetall aims to add approximately 1,000 employees as part of the expansion while investing up to €600 million over the coming years.
The initiative follows Rheinmetall's acquisition earlier this year of a 51 percent stake in DOK-ING, giving the German defense group majority ownership while founder Vjekoslav Majetić retained the remaining shares. The acquisition established a new competence center for heavy autonomous ground systems, with an initial focus on combat support capabilities including mine clearance and mobility operations.
For Croatia, the project represents one of the largest announced defense-industrial investments in recent years and could further integrate the country's defense sector into European and NATO supply chains. Government officials have also highlighted the partnership as supporting the modernization of Croatia's industrial base and strengthening domestic participation in future European defense programs.
