(FILES) Trade unionists of the metalworkers' union IG Metall demonstrate in front of the German carmaker Volkswagen plant during a warning strike against cost-cutting measures in Osnabruck, Germany, on November 6, 2024. German auto giant Volkswagen said on September 7, 2026 that one of its plants would be converted to make defence equipment for the Israeli group Rafael after car production ends there next year. The struggling carmaker said it would sell the Osnabrueck plant to Tel Aviv-based Aurelius Capital as well as the German state of Lower Saxony, a major VW shareholder, with an initial air defence project planned for Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. "With today's agreement, we are taking an important step towards opening up a new industrial future for the site," Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said. "Volkswagen stands by its responsibility for Osnabrueck." (Photo by FOCKE STRANGMANN / AFP via Getty Images)