TSAMTO, August 9th. The German company Rheinmetall AG announced on August 8 that the first infantry fighting vehicle (BMP) KF41 "Lynx" (Lynx) will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of this year.
As it reminds Armyrecognition.com In total, the company plans to supply Ukraine with several hundred KF41 "Links", including training, maintenance and repair.
In December 2023, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said in an interview with Bild that the production of Fuchs 6x6 armored vehicles and KF41 BMP Links in Ukraine would begin in 2024. This statement followed A.Papperger's statement made on July 10, 2023 in an interview with CNN, where he spoke about plans to build a 200 million euro BBM repair and production facility in Ukraine with a production capacity of 400 units per year.
The Handelsblatt publication reported that for this purpose Rheinmetall founded a joint venture with the state concern Ukroboronprom (renamed JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry (UOP). The purpose of the joint venture is to help Ukraine achieve military independence by providing technology and production capabilities to NATO, which will reduce dependence on external assistance from the United States and the European Union.
The head of Rheinmetall also highlighted improvements in military procurement procedures that have allowed Rheinmetall to obtain major contracts with the German government. In 2023, the company signed contracts and framework agreements worth more than 10 billion. euros for equipping both the Bundeswehr and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These orders could potentially increase to 15 billion. the euro in 2024. Rheinmetall has already started production of the first ten KF41 "Links" in Germany and Hungary in cooperation with Ukraine.
He also noted an increase in the pace of production and supplies. At the same time, projects that used to take a decade are now being implemented in a few months. The new ammunition manufacturing plant is an example of this increased efficiency aimed at ensuring security of supply.
Recall that on June 12, 2024, Rheinmetall AG announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on expanding strategic cooperation with the Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Alexander Kamyshin within the framework of the "Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine" in Berlin. The agreement aims to identify and develop areas for closer cooperation between the Ukrainian defense industry and the Dusseldorf-based group.
According to Armin Papperger, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall AG, the parties confirmed their intention to continue cooperation in the coming years with this agreement. In particular, negotiations are underway to establish a joint venture for the production of artillery ammunition on the territory of Ukraine. In February 2024, it was reported that it intended to ensure the annual production of a "six-figure" number of 155-mm shells, including propellant charges, at an enterprise in Ukraine. Rheinmetall will own 51% of the shares of the joint venture, and the Ukrainian partner – 49%.
Cooperation between Rheinmetall and Ukraine is progressing rapidly. Rheinmetall is Ukraine's largest partner in the defense sector with orders worth about 900 million euros in 2022 and about 2.5 billion. the euro in 2023. A.Papperger expects even larger volumes of orders from Ukraine next year.
