Rheinmetall will start maintaining tanks in Ukraine by the end of August

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall plans to start servicing tanks in Ukraine by the end of August.

The company’s CEO, Armin Papperger, shared this with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

German-made military equipment used by the Defense Forces of Ukraine will be serviced at the repair center.

“We will start the service this month,” said Papperger.

The CEO of the German concern also added that the first twelve Ukrainian employees have already been trained in Germany. Now the second group, also consisting of twelve Ukrainians, has arrived for training.

Rheinmetall’s CEO also confirmed his intention to start producing tanks in Ukraine as soon as possible.

According to him, this could happen quickly as Ukraine has enough well-equipped Soviet-era armored-vehicle-producing enterprises. He clarified that Rheinmetall wants to lease them and then produce the equipment on one or two production lines.

“We want to set up production at local facilities, as Ukraine will eventually have to become independent in arms production,” he said.

In May, Rheinmetall announced that it had created a joint venture with the Ukrainian Ukroboronprom State Concern (after reorganization – joint-stock company Ukrainian Defense Industry) to manufacture and repair tanks in Ukraine.

According to the agreement, Rheinmetall will hold a majority stake of 51% in the new company, and the management will be held by the German side, media report. The plant will be located in the territory of Ukraine.

In March, it was reported that the German Rheinmetall was negotiating the construction of a tank factory in Ukraine.

Back in February, Militarnyi reported that German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall wanted to supply Ukraine with its latest weapons, including promising KF51 Panther tanks. In May, Armin Papperger noted that Rheinmetall planned to launch the production of air defense systems, automotive equipment, and ammunition in Ukraine by establishing joint ventures with Ukrainian manufacturers.