Germany’s Rheinmetall has struck a deal to take over a warship builder, both companies said, the defence giant’s latest expansion to meet booming demand as European countries rush to rearm.

The group has agreed to acquire Naval Vessels Luerssen (NVL), the military division of ship makers Luerssen Group, based in the northern German port city of Bremen.

It marks a major expansion into naval defence for Rheinmetall, already a key supplier of equipment, from armoured vehicles to ammunition, including to Ukraine as it fights off Russia’s three-year invasion.

European countries have been racing to build up their militaries since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The drive has been given added impetus by US President Donald Trump’s calls for the continent to pay more for its own defence and

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