Leopard 2 tanks, Marder IFVs, and more: Rheinmetall announces planned aid to Ukraine

What has already been delivered to Ukraine

"Rheinmetall is now the sole defence contractor capable of supplying the Ukrainian military with large amounts of new medium- and large-calibre ammunition," the statement says.

The ammunition includes

• 20mm for the Marder infantry fighting vehicle;
• 40mm ammunition;
• 105mm for the Leopard 1 tank;
• 120mm tank ammunition for the Leopard 2.

By the end of 2023, 40,000 out of 300,000 35mm ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft guns had also been manufactured and delivered.

Rheinmetall is also a significant strategic partner for Ukraine in supplying 155mm artillery ammunition, with several tens of thousands of rounds already delivered.

Planned ammunition deliveries

It is noted that tens of thousands of 155mm ammunition rounds will arrive in 2024. In December 2023, the German government also placed an order with Rheinmetall for the delivery of several tens of thousands of rounds in 2025.

In addition to Germany, another NATO member state has tasked Rheinmetall with supplying Ukraine with a large quantity of 155mm ammunition. The ammunition will be produced by the Spanish company Rheinmetall Expal Munitions and is expected to be delivered in 2025.

Supply of military equipment

Rheinmetall also provides significant support to Ukraine in the field of infantry fighting vehicles through bilateral exchange programs with partner countries such as Greece, Slovakia, and Czechia, or through direct deliveries.

By the end of 2023, Rheinmetall had delivered over 100 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.

"Further deliveries in the double-digit range will follow in 2024," the conglomerate announces.

Assistance with tanks

Rheinmetall has signed a contract to supply Ukraine with 25 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, as well as five armored recovery vehicles and two Leopard 1 tanks for driver training.

The deliveries are planned for 2024, with corresponding work to be carried out in Unterlüß and Kassel.

"On behalf of the Dutch and Danish governments, Rheinmetall is supplying 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks. Two of these battle tanks have already been delivered for training the Ukrainian armed forces. The remaining vehicles will be handed over this year," Rheinmetall writes.

Systems of air defense

"The success of the 35mm Gepard antiaircraft tank in Ukraine underscores the effectiveness of cannon-based air defence, especially against cruise missiles and drones. Upholding this tradition is Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art Skynex, which is also a cannon-based system," the manufacturer reports.

The system is designed for operations at very close distances, where guided missiles are ineffective. The use of programmable 35mm airburst ammunition, developed by Rheinmetall specifically for this purpose, is considerably cheaper than comparable systems based on guided missiles.

Furthermore, it is impossible to influence or deflect 35mm projectiles with electronic countermeasures.

Last year, the first Skynex system was delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces. Deliveries of Skynex systems will continue throughout 2024.

Field hospital and medical point

In cooperation with the German government, the subsidiary company of the Rheinmetall group, Rheinmetall Mobile Systeme GmbH, delivered a field hospital to the Ukrainian military in August 2023. It includes 32 beds, eight of which are for intensive care, as well as state-of-the-art medical equipment and intensive care equipment.

This combined system based on tents and containers, similar to the German district hospital, is a fully autonomous medical facility.

In August 2023, ten Ukrainian servicemen underwent a 14-day training course in Germany, where they learned to assemble, disassemble, and operate the mobile field hospital. They returned to their areas of operation immediately after completing the course.

In addition, in December 2023, Rheinmetall provided Ukraine with a rescue station. The second rescue station will be established in the first quarter of 2024.

Other assistance from the conglomerate

HX trucks, manufactured by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, are among the most widely used military logistical transport vehicles in the world and have a global reputation for their durability, off-road mobility, ease of use, and modularity, distinguishing them from competitors in the field.

Currently, around 100 such trucks are in operation in Ukraine, and recently, 26 new ones have been delivered directly from the factory.

In Lithuania, Rheinmetall manages a technical maintenance and repair center to maintain the operational readiness of Western combat systems and provide them with material and technical support. Ukrainian equipment is also repaired there.

In Romania, Rheinmetall has established a military technical maintenance and logistics center at its Satu Mare site. In addition, facilities for technical maintenance and repair have been established in Ukraine.

Production of equipment in Ukraine

In the long term, Ukraine will need assistance in restoring its own defense industry and reorienting its production to Western standards.

Therefore, in October 2023, Rheinmetall established a joint venture with the Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC in Kyiv - Rheinmetall Ukrainian Defense Industry LLC

Currently, technical maintenance and repair work is already being carried out on military equipment; In the second stage, armored vehicles will also be produced in Ukraine, such as the Fuchs/Fox armored personnel carriers, Lynx infantry fighting vehicles, and Panther main battle tanks.

The goal is to turn Ukraine into an effective partner, restore its once-powerful defense sector, and ensure its strategic autonomy.

Rheinmetall's activities regarding Ukraine

Recently, it became known that the Rheinmetall group will build a new factory for the production of ammunition in Germany. Ammunition will be supplied, in particular, to Ukraine.

Also, Rheinmetall is acquiring a controlling stake in the Romanian automobile manufacturer Automecanica Mediaş. This will also be beneficial for Ukraine.