Zelenskyy hits back at Rheinmetall chief over 'housewives and drones' remark
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to remarks made by the head of Rheinmetall about Ukrainian drone manufacturers, saying that if housewives are producing weapons, then they are ready to run the defense conglomerate.
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"If every housewife in Ukraine can indeed produce drones, then every housewife in Ukraine can also be the CEO of Rheinmetall. And I congratulate this level, the high level of our Ukrainian defense industry," he said.
The President also stressed that competition should be based on results, not words.
"And the results of these technologies we demonstrate every day, both on the battlefield, on the ground, in the air, and you know, and at sea," Zelenskyy emphasized.
He separately highlighted the uniqueness of Ukraine's experience.
"I am confident that our defense industry will take, and is already taking, its place in the world in terms of systems, some of our systems, and a systemic approach. I believe we are unique; only we have this kind of experience," the President added.
What preceded
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger made dismissive comments about Ukrainian drone manufacturers, particularly the companies Fire Point and Skyfall. He referred to them as "housewives with 3D printers in the kitchen" and compared drone production to building toy kits.
According to Papperger, there is no real technological breakthrough in Ukraine, and the level of development is far from that of Lockheed Martin or Rheinmetall.
The following day, on March 29, the company published a post on the social media platform X stating its deep respect for Ukraine.
Rheinmetall emphasized that every Ukrainian makes an "immeasurable contribution" to the fight against the Russian invasion and that the country's innovative spirit inspires them.
Effectively, the company distanced itself from its CEO's remarks, although no direct apology was issued.
