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Düsseldorf. On March 1, 2004, Rheinmetall’s chairman
Klaus Eberhardt also took over at the helm of Rheinmetall
DeTec AG. In view of the security-political relevance of the
defence business, this move which has put Eberhardt in
charge of Rheinmetall’s Defence activities has been followed
with interest by the German Bundeswehr and political
circles. Shortly after his appointment, the military
Newsline
Rheinmetall DeTec chairman Klaus Eberhard in “Soldat und Technik”
Foreign markets to be tapped further
Soldat und Technik: In addition to
your responsibility as the chairman of
the executive board of Rheinmetall AG
you have now also taken on the task of
executive board chairman of Rheinmetall
DeTec AG (Düsseldorf). Can you
outline the main focus of your new
tasks in future?
Eberhardt: In view of the political significance
of the defence business, I believe
it is indeed a very special responsibility
to have been put in charge of
Rheinmetall’s Defence sector. The Bundeswehr
remains our most important
customer, although we are naturally also
aware of the security-political significance
of our defence activities on an
international scale.
The change at the head of Rheinmetall
DeTec assures a maximum degree of
continuity. As you know, as executive
board chairman of Rheinmetall AG I
have been in command of the group’s
business for four years. In this role I
have obviously followed the major issues
of our Defence sector very closely
over the years and have established a
close and trusting dialog with our contacts
– the armed forces, political circles
and the administration. I intend to continue
and intensify this dialog in future.
Soldat und Technik: Especially also in
the light of the transformation process
(of the international armed forces)…
Eberhardt: …we at Rheinmetall will
remain a strong and reliable partner of
the Bundeswehr. We think it is our duty
to give the technological momentum
based on the new requirements, and to
use our core competencies as an innovation
drive for the equipment and systems
of the armed forces. I also want to
push ahead with the growing internationalization
of Rheinmetall DeTec AG
since this is not only the precondition
for further growth but also crucial to
sustaining our technological lead.
Soldat und Technik:Do you plan to introduce
any changes in your group in
reaction to the changed framework
conditions of the Bundeswehr and future
European security aspects?
Eberhardt: I am convinced that the
Rheinmetall DeTec group with its existing
range of products and capabilities
is well prepared to participate in the
imminent change on national and international
markets. We have helped to
shape the German and European consolidation
in ground forces technology
since 1990, and have concentrated the
competencies under one umbrella,
making us the leading systems company
in this sector today. Naturally, this
involved a painful process of capacity
adjustments. The force transformation
which has now been initiated will lead
to a further change of industrial structures
in the medium term. This transformation
is absolutely vital and is irreversible,
involving both challenges and
opportunities for Rheinmetall.
Soldat und Technik: Is this already reflected
by new products or key development
activities today?
Eberhard: Yes, of
course. Let me give
you one example
from our Weapon
and Ammunition
business unit.
Large-caliber
weapon systems
clearly play a less
significant role than
about fifteen years
ago. So-called non-
lethal weapons are, for instance, one
key area of work today; these are nonlethal
systems ranging from high-power
microwave to laser guns and plasma
tasers. All of these technologies will
play a crucial role for armed forces concerned
with security at home and
abroad. Such new products are also a
reaction not only to the changed threat
scenarios but also to the fact that there
is no longer a clear distinction between
national and international security.
We are, however, still working very
successfully in the large-caliber sector,
e.g. on the Pele technology in which a
number of customers have already expressed
interest. This principle offers a
14
periodical Soldat und Technik – published by Report
Verlag (Frankfurt am Main/Bonn) and one of the leading
German defence publications that is widely read by parliamentary
and political circles – asked Eberhardt about
his goals and the future strategic orientation of the
Rheinmetall DeTec group. The article below gives a translation
of the interview printed courtesy of the publishers.
Klaus Eberhardt
cost-effective means of adapting existing
combat munitions to modern military
demands, and we are optimistic
that this approach will be successful.
Tactical reconnaissance technologies
like those used for unmanned air vehicles
are another important focus of our
work. The concept of networking is a
key aspect in this connection.
Soldat und Technik: Which brings us
to the keyword Network Centric Warfare….
Eberhardt: Exactly! Although I would
stress that system networking is by no
means new for Rheinmetall as underlined
by our developments in the field
of Battle Management Systems for air
defence or our Lince or TTCS command
systems which have been in service for
some time now. And, talking of our unmanned
air vehicles, let me give you
another example of networked capabilities:
the KZO unmanned air vehicle is
part of the reconnaissance, command
and control, and strike capability in
conjunction with the observation and
reconnaissance equipment for the Fennek
reconnaissance vehicle and the
self-propelled howitzer PzH 2000 and
its SMArt ammunition.
All these examples underline one aspect
which I believe is particularly important:
Although considerable performance
improvements are still possible
in the software sector, enhanced capabilities
ultimately only exist on the basis
of improved platforms. Classical
arms capabilities will therefore continue
to be extremely important in future, too.
Soldat und Technik: The German industry
has given a convincing demonstration
of these capabilities with the
Monarc project.
Eberhardt: Quite so! Monarc (Modular
Naval Artillery Concept) is a groundbreaking
concept jointly proposed by
Rheinmetall, HDW (Howaldtswerke-
Deutsche Werft) and Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann, concerning the introduction
of the fielded 155mm weapon systems
Continued on page 15)