The Outspoken CEO Behind the World’s Fastest-Growing Arms Maker

Earlier this year, Armin Papperger opened a new factory that will allow his company to produce more of an essential caliber of artillery shell than the entire U.S. defense industry combined. 

Surrounded that day by dignitaries, including the head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Rheinmetall RHM -2.21%decrease; red down pointing triangle chief executive was riding a wave of post-Cold War military spending that is reshaping the global arms trade.