German Rheinmetall defense concern is negotiating with Ukraine regarding the construction of a new tank factory, and the company's general director Armin Papperger in an interview with the Rheinische Post newspaper announced new details about this project, according to SPIEGEL.
Thus, according to him, negotiations with the Ukrainian government on this issue look "promising" and, as the head of Rheinmetall hopes, a concrete decision can be made within the next two months.
Read more: Ukraine Might Be Armed With the German 130-Mm Panther, As Well As the Latest Lynx IFVs – Handelsblatt
As for other details, the following is currently known - the construction of the plant is estimated at 200 million euros, at the same time, such a plant will be able to manufacture up to 400 main battle tanks KF51 Panther per year (approximately up to 33 vehicles per month).
Separately, Papperger emphasized the fact that the future plant will be completely protected from Russian missiles. "Protection by means of air defense will not pose difficulties," he says.
The head of Rheinmetall says that despite the fact that the allies are supplying enough equipment to Ukraine for defense, it is still not enough to win back the territories. At the same time, according to his expectations, the war will last "probably for years."
At the same time, according to Papperger's estimates, Ukraine needs from 600 to 800 tanks for victory. "Even if Germany gives all 300 Leopard 2 tanks that are in the Bundeswehr's assets, it will still be too few," he notes, stressing that the production of new tanks should begin quickly.
It will be recalled that the latest KF51 Panther main battle tank was first presented by Rheinmetall at the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition. The vehicle based on the Leopard 2 chassis received a new turret with a 130-mm gun and an automatic loader.
As Defense Express reported, Germany Wanted to Purchase 96 Leopard 2 From Swedish Warehouses to Supply Ukraine With Them. We also wrote, that Germany Signed the Contracts With Rheinmetall on the Gepard Guns Ammunition Production for Ukraine
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