Rheinmetall acquires 51 percent stake in DOK-ING with legal support from Wolf Theiss

Zagreb, 4 March 2026 – Rheinmetall has signed an agreement to acquire 51 percent of the share capital of DOK-ING d.o.o., a Zagreb-based company specialised in uncrewed ground systems. The transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

Rheinmetall is a Düsseldorf-based technology group with global operations in the defence and security sector. The company aims to strengthen its European industrial base by expanding its activities in uncrewed and autonomous systems. Rheinmetall and DOK-ING entered into a partnership in 2024 to jointly develop uncrewed ground systems for mobility, counter-mobility and combat support operations. A notable aspect of the partnership between Rheinmetall and DOK-ING is its entirely European origin and value creation.

DOK-ING d.o.o. is a Croatian limited liability company founded in 1991. The company is a recognised engineering and technology provider with a strong position in uncrewed solutions for mine clearance and operations in hazardous and high-risk environments. DOK-ING has delivered around 500 platforms to customers in more than 40 countries. Its engineering excellence and development activities will remain based in Zagreb.

The signing took place on 4 March 2026 in Zagreb in the presence of the Croatian Minister of Defence, Ivan Anušić. Closing remains subject to regulatory approvals.

The Wolf Theiss Zagreb team represented Rheinmetall in its pending acquisition of DOK-ING. The mandate covered all legal aspects of the transaction, including corporate, employment and real estate matters. In addition, the Vienna-based Wolf Theiss competition team advised on merger control aspects of the transaction and coordinated the regulatory filings.

The Wolf Theiss M&A team advising Rheinmetall was led by Dora Gaži Kovačević (Partner), supported by Berislav Drašković (Senior Associate) and Iva Sabljak (Associate, all Croatia). The competition law team was led by Stefan Wartinger (Partner), supported by Sophie Weber (Associate, both Austria) as well as Olga Ivlyeva and Sergii Zheka (both Senior Associates), who supported the local law aspects relating to Ukraine.

“Supporting Rheinmetall on this strategic acquisition has been a privilege. The transaction strengthens the company’s presence in Croatia and positions DOK-ING to advance its development in the field of uncrewed and autonomous systems. This step underscores the importance of Croatia as a growing centre for defence and technology innovation.”

– Dora Gaži Kovačević, Partner, Wolf Theiss