“I’m very grateful for this highly fruitful and trust-inspiring encounter with President Zelenskyy”, declared Armin Papperger after the meeting. “It’s a matter of central importance for Rheinmetall to support our Ukrainian friends in their fight for freedom and democracy and to meet their urgent needs as quickly as possible.” 

Mr Papperger went on to emphasize how “proud we are that Germany is doing so much to help the people of Ukraine by providing humanitarian aid and financial support as well as military equipment. At Rheinmetall we’re working hand in hand with the German government to help Ukraine as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

INTENSIFYING THE PARTNERSHIP

“For Ukraine”, notes Mr Papperger, “the main thing now is to meet the urgent needs of its armed forces and to strengthen the country’s ability to defend itself in future. In this context, we discussed possibilities for deepening and intensifying our existing partnership. In terms of military technology, we’re prepared to help Ukraine achieve a level of excellence on a par with state-of-the-art Western products and even to set new standards.”  

Best known for its expertise in the world of fighting vehicles, ammunition, air defence and military trucks, Rheinmetall has everything it takes to be a valuable and effective long-term partner of Ukraine.  Talks also focused on the transfer of technology and the creation of local production capacity in Ukraine, which would make a lasting contribution to strengthening the country’s defence sector. 

WHAT RHEINMETALL HAS DONE SO FAR TO AID UKRAINE

Rheinmetall is taking part in multiple projects in support of Ukraine.  Twenty combat-ready Marder infantry fighting vehicles from Rheinmetall stocks were recently shipped to Ukraine, along with a further twenty from the German Bundeswehr. 

As part of the German government’s “Ringtausch” multilateral equipment exchange programme, the armed forces of Greece, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are receiving Leopard 2 main battle tanks or Marder IFVs from Rheinmetall, in exchange for which they are transferring equipment from their own inventories to Ukraine. 

Furthermore, Rheinmetall has also been supplying the Ukrainian armed forces with ammunition, air defence systems, military trucks, etc. Only a few months ago, the Group provided Ukraine with a turnkey, state-of-the-art field hospital. 

Rheinmetall is currently rushing to complete a new production line for medium-calibre ammunition at its plant at Unterlüß in Lower Saxony, which Ukraine needs for the Gepard antiaircraft tank. Delivery is slated to begin this summer.