German arms giant boss says no ‘chickening out’ amid alleged Russian threats

Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, has stated that he will not back down despite facing numerous threats to his safety. The 63-year-old is under police protection and has bodyguards at his side, even at Rheinmetall's headquarters in Dusseldorf. Papperger mentioned that his garden shed was set on fire and there were protests outside his house, which he admitted could be considered a threat.

Despite the heightened security measures, Papperger emphasized that "chickening out" is not an option in his line of work. He added, "These jobs must be done and anyone that can't take the pressure doesn't belong in this job."

Rheinmetall is currently supplying weapons to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and is also establishing factories in the country. German domestic intelligence services have advised employees of defense contractors to be extra cautious, warning of a higher likelihood of espionage and sabotage by Russian state agencies.

Papperger, who has been leading Rheinmetall since 2013, is not considering stepping down anytime soon. He is enjoying his work with younger colleagues and has no plans to retire. The engineer has been with Rheinmettal for 36 years, holding various positions before reaching the CEO position. He believes that a successful defense company CEO should possess technical knowledge, political engagement, and a strategic mindset.

Papperger stressed the importance of maintaining close ties with the political sector as they are the primary customers of his company. He concluded that Rheinmetall is not an ordinary business, as it deals with approximately 120 governments worldwide.