Rheinmetall Defense Gets New CTO

Rheinmetall has appointed Klaus Kappen, a formerly head of Research and Development coordination and Special Projects for Land Systems as the new Chief Technology Officer for its Defense business.

In charge of the newly established CTO department at Rheinmetall headquarters, Kappen reports directly to the Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG, Armin Papperger, the company said in a statement Friday.

In his newly created post, he will be responsible for growing and maintaining Rheinmetall Defense’s technological expertise as well as for coordinating all research and development projects at Defense.

His duties include taking part in the formulation and execution of corporate strategy in line with the imperatives of a pioneering technology developer and system supplier.

Furthermore, Klaus Kappen is responsible at Rheinmetall for identifying and analysing future equipment requirements of the armed forces and evaluating new products. Drawing on his experience in military R&D and technology, he will assist relevant departments of Rheinmetall Defence in preparing comprehensive system concepts for major projects of the armed forces, the company said.

Klaus Kappen joined Rheinmetall on 1 January 2018. Prior to this he headed the Land and Key Account Manager Army department at IABG mbH in Ottobrunn, where he was responsible for all activities relating to Bundeswehr ground forces.