DORTMUND (dpa-AFX) - The armaments group Rheinmetall is to become a sponsor of Bundesliga soccer team Borussia Dortmund. This was reported by the "Handelsblatt". Neither the club nor the company commented on the matter when asked by dpa on Tuesday.

According to the report, a three-year partnership has been agreed, which is expected to bring BVB a single-digit million amount per year. The company's logo will be visible on advertising boards during Dortmund's preparations for the Champions League final on Wednesday. The jerseys will not be affected by the agreement. Borussia Dortmund will face Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday.

Rheinmetall is benefiting from the Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022. The share price of Germany's largest arms manufacturer has increased roughly fivefold since then. The Group is also receiving additional funding from the German government. According to its own estimates, Rheinmetall will receive around 30 billion euros step by step from a 100 billion euro special fund for the German armed forces - spread over a period of several years, which is usual for armaments orders./bat/DP/he