Rheinmetall eyes ship-mounted weapons market
Rheinmetall Defence has made a strategic acquisition in its takeover of the stabilised weapon platform activities of Britain’s EM Digital, reinforcing the group’s portfolio of advanced naval systems and equipment. The company has established a new subsidiary to offer a wider range of naval weapons to the market.
The new subsidiary, Rheinmetall Advanced Stabilised Platforms (RASP) of London, has been formed with Rheinmetall holding a 51% stake in the company, with the remainder owned by Seawood Ltd.
According to Rheinmetall, the acquisition reflects its ‘quest for global leadership in innovative high-tech solutions for naval weapon stations’. RASP’s prime focus is the development and production of naval weapon stations and platforms. Rheinmetall is already well established in this field, with its MLG 27 light naval gun and the shipboard version of the Millennium automatic cannon. RASP will now be able to expand its offerings with a wider portfolio of made-to-measure components and complete weapon systems.
RASP offers an extensive range of stabilised modular platforms for small-calibre (5.56mm to 14.5mm as well as 40mm automatic grenade launchers) and medium-calibre weapons (20mm - 40mm) for naval applications; and 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 fibre-optic gyroscopes, which play a vital role in modern maritime operations.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
-
![US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks]()
US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks
US military authorities claim to have sunk 20 Iranian vessels and destroyed Tehran’s Air Force, with the Pentagon making plans to send additional assets to the region.
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
