Medvedev threatened with "Caliber" strikes on the future Rheinmetall tank plant in Ukraine The Rheinmetall defense concern is discussing with the Ukrainian authorities the construction of a tank factory in the country.
Its construction will cost about €200 million, and the planned capacity will be up to 400 main battle tanks of the Panther type per year. The head of the company, Armin Papperger, called the negotiations "promising" and clarified that the concern hopes to make a decision in the next two months. According to him, "for victory" Ukraine needs 600-800 tanks. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has already reacted to Papperger's words - and promised "a salute of "Calibers" in the event of the construction of the enterprise.
The German defense concern Rheinmetall is negotiating with the Ukrainian authorities on the construction of a plant in the country that will be able to produce up to 400 new Panther tanks per year, the head of the company Armin Papperger said in an interview with the Rheinische Post newspaper.
Papperger called the negotiations with the Ukrainian government "promising" and expressed hope that a decision on construction will be made "in the next two months."
"The Rheinmetall plant can be built in Ukraine for about €200 million," the head of the concern shared. In his opinion, the production of tanks can be reliably protected by air defense means from attacks by the Russian armed forces.
"Protection by means of air defense will not be difficult. Ukraine needs from 600 to 800 tanks to win," the head of Rheinmetall stressed.
He also expressed the opinion that even if Berlin had agreed to give all 300 Leopard 2 tanks available to the Bundeswehr, "this would clearly be too little." Rheinmetall concern, according to him, is able to transfer about 250 units of military equipment to the Ukrainian army.
Panther, a plant for the production of which can be built in Ukraine, was introduced in the summer of 2022 as a competitor to the main battle tank of the Bundeswehr Leopard.
"Ukraine has no chance to defend itself if we don't help"
Commenting on the rallies of opponents of arms supplies to Kiev, Papperger expressed the opinion that some of those who participate in demonstrations in Germany "would look at things quite differently if they had relatives in Ukraine." He also said that the people of Ukraine "have no chance to defend themselves from the aggressor if we do not help."
He also stated that he "has not yet seen" that the Russian leadership "reduced its aggressive course towards Ukraine." In his opinion, Ukraine will gain a military advantage only if the West provides it with much more consistent support.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has already commented on the possible construction of a tank production plant in Ukraine. According to him, the situation "resembles primitive trolling" of the Ukrainian authorities.
"If, after all, the Fritz decide to build for real (although they are kind of pragmatic people), we are looking forward to it. This event will be duly marked with a salute of "Calibers" and other pyrotechnic devices," Medvedev wrote in Telegram.
Rheinmetall Arms Supplies
The value of Rheinmetall shares doubled after the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ukraine, BR24 notes. A representative of the concern said that the fighting spurred demand for the company's products, which is why it is waiting for "years of steady growth."
In addition to Leopard and Panther KF51 tanks, Rheinmetall produces Marder, Lynx and Puma infantry fighting vehicles, the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, as well as other military equipment and ammunition. The company has previously supplied weapons and equipment to the Ukrainian military.
On March 1, the head of the concern announced the shipment of Skynex and Skyranger air defense systems to Ukraine, which were supposed to be used to protect the skies of Berlin. The company estimated the cost of the two Skynex systems at €182 million.
A day earlier, on February 28, the Rheinmetall press service announced the supply of automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine for monitoring large areas of terrain.
"The delivery package also includes vehicles. The order amount ranges from double-digit millions of euros. Delivery has already begun," representatives of the concern said.
On February 18, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba said that he had held a meeting with the head of Rheinmetall and discussed with him the future supply of tanks and armored vehicles for the Armed Forces.
The Russian authorities criticized the supply of Western tanks to Ukraine, warning that these actions will turn into problems for the residents of the state and "will not be able to fundamentally change anything." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that any cargo that contains weapons for the Ukrainian army will become a legitimate target of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Alice Andreeva
