Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Rheinmetall's CEO Armin Papperger Named Best of 2025
In 2025, The Economist named Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, the best CEO of the year.
Rheinmetall is a German company that makes weapons and other defense equipment.
Mr. Papperger has been the CEO since 2013 and has helped the company grow a lot.
This year, the company's stock did very well, giving shareholders a big return.
Rheinmetall won many big contracts and is even starting to build ships for the navy.
Mr. Papperger is very brave.
Last year, some bad people tried to hurt him, but he didn't let that stop him.
He has always believed in making Europe stronger with better defense, and now everyone is seeing how right he was.
Armin Papperger of Rheinmetall named the best CEO of 2025 by The Economist.
Rheinmetall generated a 158% return for shareholders, including dividends.
The company won significant contracts and expanded into naval shipbuilding.
Papperger has been a strong advocate for Europe's defense industry since 2013.
He survived a foiled assassination attempt in 2024 but remained focused on his vision.
- Who
- Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall
- What
- Named the best CEO of 2025 by The Economist
- When
- 2025
- Where
- Global, with a focus on Europe
- Why
- For generating exceptional shareholder returns and strategic leadership in the defense industry
- CEO of the Year 2025
- Armin Papperger (Rheinmetall)
- Shareholder Returns
- 158% (including dividends)
- Company
- Rheinmetall (German armsmaker)
- Key Contracts
- Naval shipbuilding acquisition in September 2025
- Notable Event
- Foiled assassination plot in 2024
- Industry
- Defense
- CEO Tenure
- Since 2013
- Company Focus
- European rearmament