The German arms producer Rheinmetall, who produces the Leopard battle tank amongst different heavy arms, is hoping to open a tank manufacturing unit in Ukraine, CEO Armin Papperger has informed a German newspaper.
Papperger, as quoted by the “Rheinische Publish” day by day over the weekend, stated negotiations to construct such a plant are ongoing and a choice may come inside two months.
A attainable plant would value about 200 million euros, or about $214 million, and about 400 tanks could possibly be constructed yearly, Papperger informed “Rheinische Publish.”
Air protection techniques could possibly be in place to guard such a facility, he stated.
Papperger added {that a} new model of the totally digitized battle tank “Panther” could possibly be in-built Ukraine.
Some background: Rheinmetall is the most important arms producer in Germany with about 25,000 workers.
In January, the arms producer stated it had 139 Leopards in inventory, however of these, solely 29 Leopard 2s can be combat-ready for supply within the spring of this 12 months. These 29 have already been theoretically pledged to different nations as a part of a tank swap.
The remainder of the inventory wanted to be ready over an extended time period, in line with the corporate.
A Rheinmetall spokesperson informed CNN that of the remainder of the inventory — 88 Leopard 1 tanks — a couple of could possibly be deliverable in about 9 months, and the remaining in a 12 months.