The German Rheinmetall wants to build a tank factory in Ukraine
4 March, 2023 Panther KF51 tank from Rheinmetall. Photo from open sources The German Rheinmetall defense concern is negotiating the construction of a tank factory in Ukraine.
The company's CEO, Armin Papperger reported about this, Spiegel reports. According to him, the enterprise would be able to produce hundreds of main battle tanks per year. "The Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine can be built for about EUR 200 million," Papperger said.
He added that the plant could produce up to 400 Panther KF51 tanks annually.
Panther KF51 tank
According to him, the negotiations with the Ukrainian government are "very promising". Papperger hopes for a decision "within the next two months". The CEO of Rheinmetall is convinced that the plant can be protected from Russian air attacks.
"Protection by air defence forces will not be difficult," he said. Papperger believes that Ukraine needs 600 to 800 tanks to win.
KF51 Panther tank from the Rheinmetall, 2022. Photo credits: Rheinmetall
Back in the first half of February, Militarnyi reported that German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall wanted to supply Ukraine with its latest weapons, including promising KF51 Panther tanks.
Armin Papperger, the concern's CEO emphasized that negotiations with Kyiv were already ongoing. If they were successful, the German government would have to approve the export of German-manufactured armored vehicles.
The main weapon of the KF51 is the new Rh120 130mm 52 caliber long smoothbore gun, which should replace the current 120mm guns of the NATO standard. The gun is to be operated in conjunction with a new loading machine that can hold 20 rounds of ammunition. It is located in the aft niche of the tank turret.
The tank is designed for a crew of three: a commander, a gunner in the tower, and a driver. In addition, there is a workplace for the UAV operator or unit commander.
Panther KF51 tank from Rheinmetall. June 2022.
Photo credits: Rheinmetall
The prototype of the Panther KF51 tank was first presented last year at the Eurosatory-2022 arms exhibition.
However, so far not a single serial unit of this combat vehicle has been produced.
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