German KMW creates joint venture with Ukrainian company for maintenance and repair of military equipment

The German company KMW (KNDS Deutschland) has created a joint venture with a Ukrainian defense enterprise for maintenance and repair of military equipment supplied by the German company to the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

The Minister for Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin announced this on the Telegram channel, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"I am pleased to announce the official opening of a joint venture between KMW (KNDS Deutschland) and one of the Ukrainian defense enterprises. The newly created company will specialize in maintenance and repair of military equipment supplied by the German company to the Defense Forces of Ukraine," he said.

Smetanin noted that the first samples of this equipment appeared in Ukraine back in 2022.

He added that Ukrainian specialists have already been trained in Germany, and the first systems have already been installed at the facilities.

"This is extremely important for our defense capability - because now the equipment will be repaired faster. Which means it will be returned to the front to perform combat missions faster. Also, the work of the joint venture will significantly support our economy with investments and jobs," the Minister noted.

Smetanin thanked Germany for its leadership in creating joint ventures and for its trust in the Ukrainian defense industry.

KMW (KNDS Deutschland) is a manufacturer of a large number of armored vehicles that are in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces, in particular Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery guns.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in early June 2024 it became known that the Rheinmetall enterprise for the production and repair of armored vehicles began operating in Ukraine.