Increased threat situation: Rheinmetall CEO under personal protection: "Giving in is not an option"

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, one of Germany's most protected figures at 63, remains unafraid of potential attack risks. "Kneifen is not in that area," he told Deutsche Press-Agentur. "The jobs must be done, and whoever gives in doesn't belong in such a job." Papperger has been under police protection due to possible Russian assassination plans for some time and is accompanied by security guards, including at the Düsseldorf company headquarters.

The level of protection for the Rheinmetall CEO is on par with that of the German Chancellor. A garden shed was burned down, and demonstrations were held in front of his house. Papperger acknowledges these as possible threats, stating that if they are considered threats, he might feel threatened. However, the German government shields him as much as possible.

"But in another job, I would certainly have a lower threat level," Papperger noted. Rheinmetall supplies extensive weaponry to Ukraine, which Russia attacked, and is building factories there. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bfv) recently advised employees of arms companies to be particularly vigilant, warning of an increased likelihood of espionage and sabotage attempts by Russian state entities or on their behalf.

Depending on the war's progress in Ukraine, targeted attacks against individual employees, especially those in managerial positions, cannot be ruled out. At 63, Papperger has no plans to retire from Germany's largest weapons manufacturer, where he has been in charge since 2013. "First, I still have a three-and-a-half-year contract, which will see a lot of water run down the Rhine," he said.

"For now, I feel young, healthy, and have a lot of fun working with much younger people." A mechanical engineer, Papperger joined Rheinmetall after graduating in 1990 and climbed through numerous positions to the top of the arms company. Even in retirement, Papperger intends to remain active. "Rheinmetall is like my second family, but privately, I have a few other companies, so I will always have something to do," he said.

"I also have a fantastic family. Perhaps it's time to spend more time with my grandchildren," he added. "But that's a bit further off." Rheinmetall has 120 governments as customers, with Papperger emphasizing the importance of a close relationship with politics. "That's the customer. I believe it's always reasonable to have a decent connection with the customer," he stated.

For Papperger, essential qualities for an arms company CEO include technical understanding, a lack of fear regarding politics, and strategic thinking.