Blohm+Voss to Produce Unmanned Surface Drones in Hamburg, Creating up to 400 Jobs
Hamburg, March 9, 2026 – The Hamburg shipyard Blohm+Voss, recently acquired by the defense contractor Rheinmetall, is preparing to manufacture unmanned surface drones in the coming years. This strategic shift is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Hamburg, including the creation of up to 400 new jobs. However, the move has also sparked debate among critics who question the increasing involvement of the defense industry in the region.
The drones, initially designed to be just over eight meters long, are currently undergoing testing in the Blohm+Voss shipyard harbor. These powerful vessels can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h and are controlled remotely via joystick from land or another ship. Tim Wagner, head of NVL, the marine shipyard group now part of Rheinmetall, stated, “The boat can be used for surveillance tasks, for example.” He also noted that the boats could be armed, similar to how Ukraine is utilizing them in its conflict with Russia. “We are closely examining everything that is currently being developed unconventionally,” Wagner added.
Research into Autonomous Boats Underway
Blohm+Voss will produce these unmanned surface drones in collaboration with the British company Kraken Technology. Nils Moser, head of the shipyard, expressed enthusiasm for the new venture: “We are preparing to produce around 200 per year initially. For us, this is an opportunity to enter a completely new technology.” He further indicated that production could eventually scale up to 1,000 boats annually at the Hamburg shipyard, operating in a three-shift system. This expansion could lead to the creation of as many as 400 new employment opportunities.
Rheinmetall is also actively developing fully autonomous drones through a test vehicle. The company asserts that this new direction does not contradict its existing business of building naval ships. Tim Wagner of Rheinmetall explained, “In my opinion, we will continue to operate large crewed warships for at least the next 20 to 30 years. The areas of application for the smaller vessels are completely different.”
Ethical Concerns and Export Potential
The current geopolitical landscape has provided Blohm+Voss with an unexpected boost. However, autonomous drones present ethically sensitive issues, particularly regarding machines and AI potentially conducting lethal weapon deployments. While this development is positive for Hamburg’s economic standing, critics argue that the defense industry’s engagement is not being adequately scrutinized.
Professor Michael Brzoska, a peace researcher at the University of Hamburg, acknowledges the necessity of increased defense engagement for the German armed forces. Still, he observes that “the defense industry is leveraging its significantly increased societal value to become more aggressive in arms exports.” Rheinmetall has openly stated that countries like Brunei and Egypt have expressed interest in the autonomous boats.
Hamburg’s Changing Industrial Landscape
This move by Blohm+Voss marks another significant chapter in the shipyard’s long and often turbulent history. Following World War II, shipbuilding at the site was halted, with British forces ordering its dismantling on February 1, 1948. More recently, the EU approved Rheinmetall’s acquisition of the military division of the Lürssen shipyard, leading to a change of ownership for four North German shipyards, including Blohm+Voss.
The development of these drones is a prominent topic, highlighted by local media. The NDR Fernsehen’s “Hamburg Journal” featured this issue on March 9, 2026. This strategic shift is part of a broader trend in Hamburg’s industrial sector, with discussions around job creation and the ethical implications of defense manufacturing taking center stage.
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce expressed optimism about the economic impact, citing the potential for high-tech job creation and a strengthened position for Hamburg in advanced manufacturing. However, human rights organizations have called for greater transparency and stricter controls on potential export destinations, particularly concerning countries with questionable human rights records.
Local politicians have also weighed in, with some welcoming the investment and job creation, while others emphasize the need for careful consideration of the ethical dimensions of producing military technology. The debate underscores a growing tension between economic development and societal responsibility in the context of global security challenges.
As Blohm+Voss embarks on this new venture, the city of Hamburg will be watching closely to see how this development unfolds, balancing economic prosperity with ethical considerations in the evolving landscape of defense technology.
