Rheinmetall plans to build three military plants in Ukraine
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger (photo: Getty Images)
Armin Papperger, CEO of the German defense concern Rheinmetall said the concern plans to build three military plants in Ukraine. This will happen regardless of whether there is a war in Ukraine or not, Deutsche Welle reports.
"We keep our word. Our strategy is to build three plants in Ukraine, and this does not depend on whether there is a war or not," said Papperger.
He also specified what these plants would produce and noted that the first plant had already been built.
"We are satisfied with the cooperation. We were the first to launch an equipment repair plant in Ukraine, we are currently building an ammunition plant, and we would like to build an anti-aircraft systems plant as the third," said Rheinmetall CEO.
Mr. Papperger also added that even though the group's cooperation in Ukraine is slower than in Europe, cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industry of Ukraine is developing well. In addition, he noted the active involvement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in decision-making and facilitating the way forward.
In November 2024, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Rheinmetall was completing a second plant in Ukraine. Although, as Papperger clarified in an interview today, it will only start operating in 2026, as there have been delays.
In January, it became known that Rheinmetall would supply Ukraine with an additional 180 thousand 35-mm ammunition for the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
