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🇮🇱 Israel /Energy & Infrastructure

Lower Saxony, Rafael and Aurelius to build Iron Dome components at former VW factory

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Lower Saxony, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Aurelius Capital signed a letter of intent to acquire Volkswagen’s Osnabrück plant and produce Iron Dome-related equipment there.
  • Volkswagen is expected to leave the site in the second half of 2027, while the Tamir interceptor itself will not be manufactured at the facility.
  • The planned center could preserve skilled industrial employment at a plant that currently employs 2,300 people.

A former Volkswagen factory in Osnabrück could become a German production hub for components and equipment linked to Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.

The German state of Lower Saxony, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Aurelius Capital signed a letter of intent Monday to purchase the plant. The agreement calls for the site to become a center for security and defense solutions, combining German engineering, industrial capital and quality standards.

This partnership creates realistic opportunities for long-term, highly skilled employment at a location that has stood for industrial excellence for 125 years.

· Olaf LiesThe Lower Saxony minister-president described the proposed conversion of Volkswagen’s Osnabrück plant.

The plan marks a change from an earlier proposal for Volkswagen itself to cooperate with Rafael on production. That arrangement was blocked by Qatar, Volkswagen’s largest foreign shareholder. The consortium must now conduct detailed negotiations, assess regulatory requirements and complete internal decision-making processes.

With the idea that the technology will be fully produced in Germany, to protect Germany and Europe.

· Yoav TourgemanRafael’s president and CEO described the goal of the company’s partnership with Germany.

The Osnabrück plant employs 2,300 people and currently produces the T-Roc Cabriolet, Porsche Cayman and Porsche Boxster. Volkswagen is expected to leave the site in the second half of 2027. Rafael’s Tamir interceptor will not be built there, but military vehicles, launchers, generators and other equipment will be produced at the facility under the proposal.

Lower Saxony Minister-President Olaf Lies said the partnership offered “realistic opportunities for long-term, highly skilled employment” at a site with 125 years of industrial history. Rafael President and CEO Yoav Tourgeman said the aim was for the technology to be fully produced in Germany “to protect Germany and Europe.”

The technology at the heart of this partnership is built for the defense of today, tomorrow, and well beyond. Our outstanding combat proven technology evolves constantly in order to be ahead of the threats, so that highly reliable defense will always be provided.

· Yoav TourgemanTourgeman characterized the technology Rafael plans to produce through the partnership.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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