German defence company Rheinmetall has agreed to form a joint venture with Ukraine’s state-owned defence group Ukroboronprom to build and repair tanks in Ukraine, the companies announced on May 13, 2023, Reuters reported.
Timeline
The joint venture is subject to official approval. Closing of the agreement is scheduled for the end of June 2023, and the venture is expected to begin operations from mid-July, according to Rheinmetall.
Rheinmetall said the cooperation would build joint defence technology capabilities in Ukraine step by step, strengthening the country’s defence industry and national security.
“Trustworthy partner”
“We are pleased to have Ukroboronprom, led by Yuriy Husyev, as a very capable and trustworthy partner at our side,” Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said.
Growing demand
Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest arms maker, has seen demand surge since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as European countries rebuild their armed forces and replenish stocks sent to Kyiv. The company makes the Leopard 2’s main gun and ammunition and produces the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, which Germany has supplied to Ukraine.
Ukraine has received dozens of Western tanks, including Leopard 2s, since early 2023, and maintaining and repairing them has become a major challenge. Kyiv has made developing domestic arms production with Western partners a priority.
Sources
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