contract

So until the finer points of all the various contracts are signed and sealed, O'Neill will keep taking the team.

DeMond Chambliss used to run himself ragged with the small contracting business he owned in Columbus, Ohio: hanging drywall, chasing clients for payments and managing half a dozen employees.

After the U.S. wound down the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, defense-tech companies such as Shield AI found that a pipeline flowing with billions of dollars in defense contracts had slowed to a trickle.

Others in the industry privately voice incredulity at what has become a whirlwind of announcements from Rheinmetall on new contracts, joint ventures and other deals.

There has also been criticism of the growing cost of running asylum accommodation – which has gone up significantly since the contracts were signed.