Rheinmetall to open armored plant in Ukraine within 12 weeks
German defense company Rheinmetall to deploy armored vehicle production facilities in Ukraine over the next 12 weeks
This was announced by the company’s CEO Armin Papperger in an interview with CNN.
In addition to deploying the plant, the company will also train Ukrainian specialists to service tanks and other armored vehicles manufactured at the plant.
According to Papperger, the new plant will operate in the western part of Ukraine.
“[Ukrainians] have to help themselves – if they always have to wait for Europeans or Americans to help them for the next 10 or 20 years… it’s impossible,” he said.
Earlier this year, the company announced that the cost of the planned armored plant would be 200 million euros, and its design capacity would allow it to produce about 400 tanks a year.
Rheinmetall will manage the enterprise in partnership with Ukroboronprom. To this end, the parties entered into a strategic partnership agreement.
When asked whether he was afraid to open production in Ukraine in view of Russia’s missile attacks, Armin Papperger replied: “Ukraine has effective means of defense against attacks on sensitive targets, mainly thanks to Western assistance. Power plants and other industrial facilities are also working and are immediately repaired in case of damage.”
Production of armored vehicles
In May, Papperger said that factory workers would build and repair Rheinmetall Fuchs armored personnel carriers under license at the new plant.
“We will start with vehicle maintenance and repair and want to produce armored vehicles, such as Fuchs armored vehicles, as soon as possible,” he said.
According to him, Ukraine is also interested in the modern Panther battle tank and Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.
“But the first step is to meet the country’s urgent needs in its struggle,” said the Rheinmetall executive.
