Armin Papperger is a German corporate executive and the CEO of Rheinmetall AG. For decades, Rheinmetall was a quiet, highly restricted German automotive parts and defense manufacturer. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s declaration of a "Zeitenwende" (historic turning point), Papperger was thrust to the absolute center of European geopolitics. In 2026, Papperger is the absolute architect of Europe’s frantic rearmament. He transformed Rheinmetall into an explosive, multi-billion-dollar defense juggernaut. He is producing hundreds of thousands of 155mm artillery shells, manufacturing the Leopard 2 tank, and developing the next-generation Panther KF51. Operating with extraordinary boldness that often shocks the cautious German political establishment, Papperger has bypassed bureaucracy to construct massive, fortified tank and ammunition factories directly inside the borders of Ukraine, making him a prime target for Russian intelligence services.