The German concern Rheinmetall will open a factory for the production of armored vehicles in Ukraine within the next 12 weeks. This was announced by the company's CEO Armin Papperger in an interview with CNN on July 6.
"Rheinmetall will operate the plant in partnership with the Ukrainian state defense group Ukroboronprom, which will also own the facility," the material says.
He also said that Germany's largest arms manufacturer will train Ukrainian servicemen to service tanks and other armored vehicles produced at the plant, which will be located in the western part of the country.
Before that, on July 4, the German Defense Ministry said that Ukraine had become the largest recipient of German weapons in the first half of 2023. The country's authorities sent supplies worth €1.65 billion to Kiev.
It was noted that in the first six months of this year, the agency issued separate permits for the export of weapons worth about € 5.22 billion. Whereas for the same period in 2022, this figure was €4.16 billion.
Earlier, on June 12, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Melnyk said that Berlin should triple the supply of Leopard tanks without compromising the country's defense capability. He also asked Berlin to transfer another 60 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Taurus long-range cruise missiles.
Western countries have increased military and financial support for Kiev against the background of the Russian Federation's special operation to protect Donbass, the decision on which was made after the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.
