Rheinmetall joins in Ukrainian JV on the support and manufacture of military vehicles
Rheinmetall has supplied Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine and has established a military vehicles JV with the country.(Photo: Rheinmetall)
Germany’s Rheinmetall will provide further support to Ukraine, on top of billions-of-dollars worth of munitions, by taking a majority stake in a military vehicles company.
Technology and defence company Rheinmetall has set up a Kyiv-based joint venture (JV) with Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC (UDI, the former Ukroboronprom), officially announcing on 24 October an arrangement in place since 18 October.
Cooperation between the two organisations began in May this year with Rheinmetall providing industrial support to Ukraine forces in the fight against Russia by supplying hundreds-of-thousands of rounds of large and small munitions.
On 28 September 2023, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office gave the new JV the green light, followed by approval from the relevant agencies in Poland and Ukraine in early October.
A few days later, Rheinmetall Ukrainian Defense Industry was officially registered and commenced operations with the German company owning 51% and UDI 49%.
The venture will be active in the fields of service and maintenance, as well as in the assembly, production and development of military vehicles. It will initially operate solely in Ukraine.
In a statement, Rheinmetall said: ‘Ukraine stands to benefit from this cooperation in multiple ways, including the creation and expansion of defence technology capacities in-country, additional local added value, as well as the swift delivery of military equipment from Germany.’
More from Defence Notes
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
![Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west]()
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
