German auto giant Volkswagen has approved plans to manufacture components for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system at one of its factories in Germany, marking a striking turn for a company whose origins date back to Nazi Germany.

Volkswagen was established in the 1930s as part of Adolf Hitler’s initiative to produce an affordable “people’s car” for German workers. The company later became one of the world’s largest civilian automakers.

Now, amid economic difficulties, growing competition from Chinese automakers and restructuring efforts that include significant job cuts, Volkswagen is looking at new uses for factories that could otherwise face closure.

Under the emerging plan, Volkswagen’s plant in Osnabrück, Germany, would be used to manufacture heavy vehicles, launchers and other support equipment for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system through cooperation with Israeli defense giant Rafael.

The proposed arrangement reportedly involves establishing a joint company with the German state of Lower Saxony, a structure designed to overcome opposition from Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, which holds a significant stake in Volkswagen.

The development represents a remarkable historical reversal: a company created under Hitler’s Nazi regime could now use its German manufacturing facilities to produce equipment supporting an Israeli missile defense system.

The project would also mark Volkswagen’s return to defense-related manufacturing as Germany and other European countries dramatically increase defense spending amid growing security threats across the continent.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)