German–Ukrainian vehicle support factory officially opens in Ukraine

Ukraine’s new Rheinmetall Ukrainian Defense Industry LLC vehicle maintenance and repair factory was officially opened on 10 June after being founded in October 2023.

Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) are already being overhauled at the hub. In the future, Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 main battle tanks and other German-made systems will also be repaired at other locations in Ukraine.

Rheinmetall based the factory on local infrastructure but brought in special tools, spare parts and other equipment to the hub. Ukrainian specialists were trained at Rheinmetall sites in Germany in 2023 in the repair of combat vehicles before returning to Ukraine and working there on the maintenance and repair of the relevant systems.

Dmytro Klimenkov, deputy minister of defence of Ukraine, said: “The opening of the first joint service centre with Rheinmetall in Ukraine is crucial for strengthening our defence capabilities.

“This facility will allow us to ensure quick repairs and maintenance of German equipment directly on Ukrainian soil, significantly enhancing the efficiency of our armed forces…which enable us to [better] integrate into the European collective security system.”

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Marder