Rheinmetall Defense aims to expand its global naval presence with the takeover of the stabilized weapon platform activities of Britain’s EM Digital making it a significant strategic acquisition.
The acquisition reinforces the Düsseldorf-based Group’s portfolio of advanced naval systems and equipment and reflects Rheinmetall’s quest for global leadership in innovative high-tech solutions for naval weapon stations.
The new subsidiary, Rheinmetall Advanced Stabilized Platforms (RASP) of London, possesses cutting-edge expertise and an extensive range of stabilization technology products.
Rheinmetall holds a 51 percent stake in the company, the remainder of which is owned by Seawood Ltd.
RASP’s prime focus is the development and production of naval weapon stations and platforms.
Rheinmetall is already well established in this field, particularly with its MLG 27 light naval gun and the shipboard version of the Millennium automatic cannon. The Group can now supply the world’s navies with an even wider array of made-to-measure components and complete weapon systems.
RASP offers an extensive range of stabilized modular platforms for small-caliber (5.56mm to 14.5mm as well as 40mm automatic grenade launchers) and medium-caliber weapons (20mm – 40mm) for naval applications.
Also, the open system architecture greatly facilitates integration of weapons and electro-optical sensors.
In addition, RASP develops and manufactures a wide variety of electronic components and subsystems such as fiber-optic gyroscopes, which play a vital role in modern maritime operations.