BERLIN

A German peace initiative on Thursday voiced strong opposition to reports that Volkswagen is in talks with an Israeli defense firm to produce missile defense system components at its Osnabruck plant.

The Osnabruck Peace Initiative (OFRI) urged the automaker to drop the potential deal with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, saying the site should remain dedicated to civilian vehicles rather than military production.

“The Osnabruck Peace Initiative views Volkswagen’s interest in military projects with great concern,” the initiative’s spokesperson Marie Dominique Guyard told Anadolu. “We oppose arms deliveries to warring parties and believe in the possibility of ending wars through negotiation.”

Volkswagen is reportedly discussing a partnership that could repurpose the Osnabruck factory—threatened with closure next year after current passenger car production ends—to manufacture components for the Israeli air defense system Iron Dome, including launchers, transport vehicles, and power generators, according to the Financial Times.

Guyard said OFRI, which brings together Osnabruck residents who advocate for diplomacy and respect for international law, opposes the plans and will continue campaigning to pressure Volkswagen’s management board, the trade union, and local politicians to abandon them.

“Osnabruck is the city of the Peace of Westphalia, negotiations that laid the foundations of modern international law in the 17th century,” she said, referring to the landmark 1648 treaties. “If a prominent company in the city were to transform into an arms manufacturer, it would be a catastrophic sign of the militarization of the region's economy.”

Guyard noted that Volkswagen’s Osnabruck plant, with its advanced manufacturing capabilities and experience in rapid production changeovers, has viable civilian alternatives.

“The plant can handle rapid production changeovers and has considerable potential for civilian automotive products, such as the minibuses that were produced a few years ago.

“Currently, money is flowing into the production of weapons; it would be better if it were invested in improved public transportation.”

The group is calling on local and state politicians, including representatives from Lower Saxony, which holds a stake in Volkswagen, to press the company's board to pursue civilian options. It also expects the trade union, which represents workers on site and holds seats on Volkswagen's supervisory board, to safeguard jobs in peaceful production.

“The union defends the interests of the workers and employees directly on site. Its role is to ensure that work in Osnabruck continues to be for peace, not for war.”

Germany’s automotive giant has not yet officially confirmed talks with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems about shifting production at its Osnabruck plant from cars to missile defense system components.

A Volkswagen spokesperson told Anadolu that the company is continuing to explore viable options for the Osnabruck plant after the current production phase ends in 2027 and that it is in discussions with various market players.

“There are currently no concrete decisions or conclusions regarding the future direction of the site," the spokesperson said. “The production of weapons by Volkswagen AG remains ruled out for the future, and we do not engage in speculation regarding further plans for the Osnabruck site.”