German Rheinmetall Concern to Open Armored Vehicle Factory in Ukraine

The German Rheinmetall concern will open an armored vehicle production factory in western Ukraine within 12 weeks. This was stated by the company's CEO, Armin Papperger, in an interview with CNN.

Rheinmetall will operate the factory in collaboration with the Ukrainian state defense concern, Ukroboronprom. In May, the companies announced an agreement to strengthen Ukraine's 'defense technological capabilities.'

The largest German arms manufacturer will train Ukrainians on the use of tanks and other armored vehicles.

At the factory, under license, Fuchs armored personnel carriers will be both constructed and repaired, among other things. “Ukrainians need to help themselves; if they are constantly waiting for help from Europeans or Americans over the next 10 or 20 years... that is impossible,” Papperger said.

Earlier this year, a company representative told the Rheinische Post that Rheinmetall intends to open a combat tank factory in Ukraine worth 200 million euros, which could produce about 400 tanks annually. Rheinmetall has also negotiated the possibility of producing the American MLRS HIMARS in Germany and is simultaneously producing Leopard tanks.