Rheinmetall and FRAEN to establish JV for US military fuse market

Rheinmetall has entered a partnership with FRAEN to establish a joint venture (JV) to develop and produce military fuses in the US.

The proposed JV will enable the Rheinmetall Group to continue the expansion of its weapon and ammunition division in the country

Headed by Rheinmetall with a 51% share, the JV entity will be known as Rheinmetall Fraen Fuzes (RFF) and will be based at FRAEN’s headquarters in Reading, Massachusetts, US.

The remaining 49% interest will be owned by FRAEN. RFF will be led by Darren Klein, who will assume the role of CEO.

RFF will focus on research and development to create technical and tactical capabilities in the field of military fuse technology, which is used in the production of ammunition.

The partnership will benefit from Rheinmetall’s technology, innovative drive, and experience in developing and producing weapon systems, ammunition, and associated equipment.

FRAEN will contribute its expertise in precision fabrication of mechanical and electrical elements, and automated production sequences to the JV.

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Rheinmetall Waffe Munition managing director Werner Kraemer said: “The combined capabilities of FRAEN and Rheinmetall mean that we’ll be able to offer our American customers the latest fuse technology and highly innovative products.”

The company noted that customers will be able to leverage the synergy offered by the JV.

The setting up of the JV is part of Rheinmetall’s strategy to secure US procurements in the weapon and ammunition field.

FRAEN CEO Nic Scarfo said: “Our goal is to tap into the market for ammunition and grow the company to meet the needs of our customers in the best way possible.

“Combining our capabilities with technologies from Rheinmetall in the US takes our business to a whole new level. We’ll be able to offer technologies and products that help our armed forces perform their important tasks.”