The German defense company KNDS Deutschland (Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann, KMW) has established a joint enterprise with a representative of the Ukrainian defense industry.

Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin announced this.

It is reported that the newly created company will specialize in the maintenance and repair of military equipment supplied by the German company to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Smetanin detailed that the first models of this equipment appeared in Ukraine in 2022.

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

“I am grateful to Germany for its leadership in establishing joint ventures and for its trust in the Ukrainian defense industry. I thank our partners from KNDS for their willingness to cooperate with the Ukrainian defense industry,” the minister noted.

He added that this is extremely important for our defense capability, as now the equipment will be repaired faster.

“This means that it will be returned to the frontline to perform combat missions faster. The joint venture will also significantly support our economy with investments and jobs,” Smetanin added.

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

In addition, the company is a manufacturer of Boxer armored personnel carriers and RCH 155 self-propelled artillery systems based on them, which are to be delivered to the Ukrainian arsenal.

In June 2024, it was reported that the first joint Rheinmetall workshop for the repair and production of armored vehicles was launched in Ukraine with the Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC.

Currently, the main purpose of the new facility is to repair military equipment developed by the German company Rheinmetall.