The German arms concern Rheinmetall is negotiating the construction of a tank factory in Ukraine. This was stated by the head of the company, Armin Papperger, Spiegel publication reports.
"The Rheinmetall factory can be built in Ukraine for approximately EUR 200 million," Papperger said.
According to him, the factory could produce up to 400 main battle tanks of the Panther type per year. He called the negotiations with the Ukrainian government "very promising". Papperger expects a decision "within the next two months."
Panther is a concept of a new tank, which the Rheinmetall concern presented in the summer of 2022. This is a development based on Leopard 2 and is most convenient for countries that already have Leopards in service. As is known, Ukraine is to receive the first such tanks from the allies in the coming months.
The head of Rheinmetall is convinced that the factory can be protected from Russian air raids.
"Protection with air defense will not be difficult," he said.
Papperger believes that Ukraine needs from 600 to 800 tanks to win.
"Even if Germany gives up all 300 Leopard 2 tanks in the Bundeswehr, it will still be too few," he said.
To date, Rheinmetall produces about 250 tanks.
"We are working at full speed. We have already put more than 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles into service, and by the end of the year there will be about 100. Of the 50 Leopard 2A4 tanks, about 30 are ready. There are also about 100 older Leopard 1 models, from which we can restore 88 vehicles," Papperger said
Papperger believes that the war will last "probably for years."
"The Western allies send enough weapons there so that Ukraine can defend itself, but today the Ukrainians do not have enough equipment to fully retake their territory," he explained.
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