The German concern Rheinmetall will open a plant for the production of armored vehicles in the western part of Ukraine within 12 weeks. This was stated by the CEO of the company Armin Papperger in an interview with CNN.
Rheinmetall will operate the plant in partnership with the Ukrainian state defense concern Ukroboronprom, which will also own the plant. In May, the companies announced an agreement to strengthen Ukraine's "defense technological capabilities."
The largest German arms manufacturer will train Ukrainians to maintain tanks and other armored vehicles. At the plant, under license, Fuchs armored personnel carriers will be built and repaired, among other things.
“[Ukrainians] have to help themselves — if they are constantly waiting for help from Europeans or Americans over the next 10 or 20 years… it’s impossible,” Papperger said.
Earlier this year, a Rheinmetall spokesman told the Rheinische Post newspaper that the company intended to open a €200 million battle tank plant in Ukraine capable of producing about 400 tanks a year. Rheinmetall also negotiated the possibility of producing American MLRS HIMARS in Germany. At the same time, Rheinmetall also produces Leopard tanks.
In January, Rheinmetall announced that it was ready to supply Ukraine with 139 Leopard tanks if the German authorities agreed to this. According to representatives of the concern, we are talking about both types of tanks – 1 and 2. After preparation, the company also agrees to provide 22 Leopard 2A4 tanks.