Rheinmetall, the largest German defense contractor, plans to give preference to domestic steel suppliers in the future. According to the company, this decision is based on security-strategic considerations, with the goal of giving preference to domestic sources, where possible, for “security-related reasons”.

The market for tank steel is observing a trend of new suppliers, including German ones, positioning themselves in the market. In the interest of security provision for Germany, Rheinmetall sees it as a task and obligation to dissolve one-sided dependencies in the supply chains and to establish additional sources, the company stated.