Rheinmetall Nordic Opens Skoppum Facility: 15-Year Lease Backs Capacity Expansion
Rheinmetall Nordic AS, the Norwegian subsidiary of German defense contractor Rheinmetall, opened a new production, development and systems integration facility in Skoppum on October 1, 2026. The site covers 4,579 square meters of gross floor space and has been built with room to expand toward roughly 5,000 square meters as demand grows.
The company signed a 15-year lease for the building, a term that points to a long-term commitment to the location rather than a short-term expansion. The facility was designed to accommodate 127 specialists and employees, and 100 people are already working there as of the opening. The remaining positions are expected to be filled gradually as operations ramp up.
Work at the Skoppum site is centered on several defense technology lines: electro-optic systems, fire control solutions, situational awareness systems, weapon accessories, mortar systems and autonomous ground systems. The facility will also handle lifecycle management, covering maintenance, upgrades and support for fielded systems over their operational life. That combination reflects an effort to integrate across a wide range of platforms rather than concentrate on a single product category.
Morten Kjørum, CEO of Rheinmetall Nordic AS, described the opening as a milestone for the company at the ceremony. He said the new Skoppum site represents a significant investment in the future of Rheinmetall Nordic and lays the groundwork for greater capacity, innovation and value creation going forward.
The investment comes as Norway sharply increases defense spending. Under its 12-year defense plan running through 2036, the country has earmarked roughly 1.624 trillion Norwegian kroner, about $169 billion. In March 2026, Norway’s government announced an additional NOK 115 billion, roughly $11.9 billion, on top of that long-term plan. The Skoppum opening fits into that broader push to build up domestic defense-industrial capacity.
The ceremony drew representatives of the Norwegian Armed Forces, government and regional authorities, customers, industry partners and delegates from other Rheinmetall companies across Europe. The program included presentations, factory tours and demonstrations of the technologies developed at the site.
Rheinmetall Nordic AS has more than 70 years of history in Norway’s defense industry and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Germany’s Rheinmetall AG. The new Skoppum facility is intended to serve not only the Norwegian Armed Forces but also international customers and other companies within the wider Rheinmetall Group, positioning the site as a hub that links Norwegian production to the group’s broader supply chain.
The opening fits a wider pattern across Europe’s defense industry, where manufacturers are expanding production capacity and working to make their supply chains more resilient in response to rising demand. As a NATO member, Norway’s investment in Skoppum aligns with broader efforts within the alliance to strengthen manufacturing infrastructure on the continent.
Sources
- Rheinmetall AG, “Rheinmetall Nordic opens a new location,” October 1, 2026. rheinmetall.com
- The Defense Post, “Rheinmetall Opens Defense Manufacturing Base in Norway,” October 6, 2026. thedefensepost.com
