China bans exports to Rheinmetall and other EU defence firms

China’s Ministry of Commerce imposed immediate export controls on 14 European companies, restricting the supply of dual‑use goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The list includes German defence conglomerate Rheinmetall, Italian and French firms, Polish electronics producer Vigo Photonics, Dutch AHC Merwede Holding, Czech Tatra Trucks, Lithuanian Expla UAB, and Bulgaria’s Opticoelektron, the largest Balkan producer of optics for military and police use. The measures are a direct response to the EU’s latest sanctions package against Russia.

Rheinmetall, despite the political tension, confirmed a €350 million investment to expand its powder production capacity, aiming to more than double output within 24 months and target a 2028 annual production of 4,200 tonnes of powder and over a million modular charge modules. Overall, the group is allocating €650 million to boost its ammunition and energetic product lines.