German concern Rheinmetall will produce Fuchs APC in Ukraine, - Head of company Papperger
The German concern Rheinmetall wants to start producing Fuchs armored personnel carriers in a joint venture with Ukroboronprom.
As informs Censor.NЕТ, this statement was made by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger in an interview with the German newspaper Bild, which is cited by hromadske
He said: "We will start there with the maintenance and repair of emergency vehicles and want to produce armored vehicles, such as Fuchs armored vehicles, as soon as possible."
The Rheinmetall executive noted that Ukraine is also interested in the modern Panther battle tank and Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.
But the first step, according to Papperger, is to meet Ukraine's urgent defense needs.
When asked whether Rheinmetall is afraid of Russian missile attacks on its production facilities in Ukraine, Papperger replied: "Ukraine has effective means of defense against attacks on sensitive targets, mainly thanks to Western assistance. Power plants and other industrial facilities are also working and are immediately repaired in case of damage."
Recently, Armin Papperger said that Rheinmetall has established a joint venture with Ukroboronprom to repair and manufacture tanks. "Rheinmetall owns a 51% stake in it. The German concern will also manage the company.
The joint venture is scheduled to be launched in July.
According to Rheinmetall's CEO, in the first stages, the cooperation will cover the maintenance and repair of armored vehicles in Ukraine. At the same time, the company will be preparing for tank production.
In addition, the German newspaper Handelsblatt wrote that the concern plans to sign contracts to establish two more joint ventures - for the production of ammunition and air defense.
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