German authorities allow Rheinmetall to produce weapons in Ukraine
At the first stage, the new joint venture, which will be based in Kyiv, will repair equipment
German defense concern Rheinmetall has announced that it is starting to manufacture and repair military equipment in Ukraine.
On Thursday, the German authorities authorized the creation of a joint venture involving Rheinmetall and the Ukrainian state-owned Ukrainian Defense Industry (formerly Ukroboronprom).
Source. This was reported by the BBC.
Later, the German concern published a message on its website describing the details of the deal.
At the first stage, the new joint venture, which will be based in Kyiv, will be engaged in the maintenance and repair of vehicles that Germany has transferred to the Ukrainian army, the report said.
The German concern does not specify which vehicles are in question, but Berlin has supplied Ukraine with 18 Leopard 2 tanks and intends to transfer 88 Leopard 1 tanks to the Ukrainian army. It also supplied 155mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers and other military equipment.
In July of this year, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said in an interview with CNN that the concern intends to open an armored vehicle maintenance and production plant in Ukraine within 12 weeks. It will be located in the western part of the country, Papperger said.
Previously, the concern told the German press that the cost of such a plant would be 200 million euros and it would be able to produce about 400 tanks a year.
Today's statement by the German company does not contain such details, but it says that "at later stages" "the partners intend to jointly produce some Rheinmetall products in Ukraine."
"In the future, cooperation between Rheinmetall and the Ukrainian Defense Industry may also include the joint development of military systems by groups of Ukrainian and German specialists, including for further export from Ukraine," the company said.
Background. As a reminder, the German concern Rheinmetall will transfer another 40 Marder armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. This will bring the number of Marder vehicles that Rheinmetall will supply to Ukraine to 80.
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