Senator Collins Visits American Rheinmetall in Biddeford

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BIDDEFORD, ME - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks and toured the factory floor at American Rheinmetall, where she spoke with employees and company leadership. The company's Biddeford facility supports U.S. defense manufacturing and produces weapon-system components, military electronics, fire-control and vision systems, and other technologies.

American Rheinmetall recently received a contract from the Department of Defense (DOD) worth more than $20 million to produce MK-93 weapon mounts for the U.S. military. Senator Collins secured the necessary funding increase for DOD to purchase the mounts, allowing American Rheinmetall to compete for the contract and DOD to award it on schedule. The contract will help expand operations at American Rheinmetall's Biddeford manufacturing facility.

"From the founding of our nation to today, Maine manufacturers have been essential to keeping America strong and free. We are fortunate to have companies such as American Rheinmetall strengthening the arsenal of democracy, from advanced materials and precision manufacturing to autonomous systems. Your cutting-edge work provides specialized capabilities critical to military readiness and is an important part of the defense industrial base," said Senator Collins during her remarks. "The upgraded MK-93 mount you manufacture enhances the Army's standard mount for heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, boosting accuracy, stability, and ease of use. Just as important, the good example you set through your skill, dedication, and pride sends a powerful message to students seeking rewarding careers. The people of Maine are proud of our state's role in keeping our nation strong and free. You add to that legacy. Thank you and keep up the great work!"

As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins has worked to strengthen Maine's defense industrial base. She led Senate passage of the 2026 Department of Defense funding bill, which supports defense employers and workers across Maine. To help prepare workers for careers in this sector, Senator Collins secured $1.5 million in 2023 and nearly $1 million in 2024 to expand welding training facilities and upgrade classroom technology at York County Community College.

These investments complement efforts by the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA)-a statewide initiative bringing together defense employers, educational institutions, and government partners to expand Maine's defense workforce. The U.S. Navy awarded the MDIA $3.5 million to expand state-of-the-art welding and manufacturing instruction at York County Community College to support more than 200 additional trainees each year. The U.S. Small Business Administration also recently awarded the Maine Community College System, an MDIA partner, $5 million to provide manufacturing workforce training statewide. The funding will support training in areas including CNC precision machining, welding, maritime pipefitting, marine machine mechanics, quality assurance, and other advanced manufacturing skills.

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