German arms giant Rheinmetall to open second Ukraine plant with four in total

Rheinmetall will manufacture infantry fighting vehicles, ammunition, gunpowder, and air defense systems at its four planned factories in Ukraine.

Oct 26, 2024 - 13:00
German arms giant Rheinmetall to open second Ukraine plant with four in total

first joint rheinmetall-ukroboronprom armored production site operational ukraine ukraine's strategic industries minister oleksandr kamyshyn (left) rheinmetall ceo armin papperger (center) opening ceremony facility 10 june 2024 telegram/zalizni_zminy

German defense giant Rheinmetall is preparing to open its second military factory in Ukraine, with plans for four facilities in total, CEO Armin Papperger has announced.

The expansion comes as Ukraine faces ammunition and military equipment shortages amid inconsistent Western aid deliveries. This push toward domestic arms production reflects Kyiv’s urgent drive for military self-sufficiency.

“Currently, we have a manufacturing facility and a service center. By the end of the year, we will have the first state-of-the-art Lynx infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine. Currently, we are servicing infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks. So this is a very productive joint venture,” Papperger told TSN in an interview.

A Lynx infantry fighting vehicle in Hungary in 2021. Credit: Ministry of Defense of Hungary
A Lynx infantry fighting vehicle in Hungary in 2021. Credit: Ministry of Defense of Hungary

The company is also developing a gunpowder factory and an ammunition production facility. “The third aspect is that we want to establish production of air defense systems so that you can protect yourselves,” he added.

Rheinmetall, a major defense contractor, manufactures ammunition and military equipment, including supplies for Ukraine.

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