Germany’s leading defense company, Rheinmetall, is swiftly moving to open new production plants in Ukraine as Kyiv struggles with a critical munitions shortage that hampers its fight against Russia.
CEO Armin Papperger confirmed the strategic initiative in an interview with Ukrainian news website TSN, saying that the project, encompassing four plants in total, aims to enhance Ukraine’s independence in defense manufacturing and modernize its military infrastructure.
With the first plant now operational and the remaining sites rapidly advancing, Rheinmetall aims to help Ukraine make up for a shortfall in Western-produced weapons, military news website Army Recognition reported.
Rheinmetall has a 51% joint stake in the joint venture with Ukraine’s defense sector.
The first facility serves as a manufacturing and maintenance center for military vehicles such as infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and main battle tanks. The factory’s initial output will include a batch of ten Lynx IFVs expected by the end of the year.
The second Rheinmetall plant will make gunpowder, while the third will produce NATO-standard ammunition, including 155mm artillery shells, in a transition away from Soviet-era production standards.
Plans are also underway for a fourth facility focused on air defense systems.
Papperger said it was urgent to complete the projects to address Ukraine’s immediate defense needs.
“Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to delay,” the Rheinmetall CEO said.
The decision to build the plants in Ukraine was announced in March, following a Ukrainian government order to develop local defense production.
With the first plant now operational and the remaining sites rapidly advancing, Rheinmetall aims to help Ukraine make up for a shortfall in Western-produced weapons, military news website Army Recognition reported.
Rheinmetall has a 51% joint stake in the joint venture with Ukraine’s defense sector.
The first facility serves as a manufacturing and maintenance center for military vehicles such as infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and main battle tanks. The factory’s initial output will include a batch of ten Lynx IFVs expected by the end of the year.
The second Rheinmetall plant will make gunpowder, while the third will produce NATO-standard ammunition, including 155mm artillery shells, in a transition away from Soviet-era production standards.
Plans are also underway for a fourth facility focused on air defense systems.
'Time is of the essence'
Papperger said it was urgent to complete the projects to address Ukraine’s immediate defense needs.
“Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to delay,” the Rheinmetall CEO said.
The decision to build the plants in Ukraine was announced in March, following a Ukrainian government order to develop local defense production.
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