Germany's cartel office approved the establishment of a joint venture between the Duesseldorf-based Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE), opens new tab and Italy's Leonardo (LDOF.MI), opens new tab, the regulator said in a statement on Monday.
"Rheinmetall and Leonardo are undoubtedly two important defence companies. Nevertheless, the establishment of the joint venture did not give rise to any competition concerns and could be cleared quickly," said office president Andreas Mundt.
Driven by fear of climate change, Chinese molecular biologist Li Jieping and his team are racing to develop a 'super-potato' - one that is resistant to hotter temperatures.
Leonardo and Rheinmetall launched the joint venture last October to develop and manufacture military combat vehicles, in a key step for consolidation in the European defence sector.
