Rheinmetall to open Leopard tank repair center in Ukraine by late summer

Director of the Industrial Group Armin Papperger told Spiegel.

"We are already training Ukrainians in Germany for this work," Papperger said, adding that Rheinmetall wants to launch the repair center after the summer break.

A repair center in Ukraine would reduce the distances that tanks need to be transported, although it could also potentially create security issues. Recently, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would strike any facility that Rheinmetall establishes in Ukraine.

• In March, it was reported that Rheinmetall might build a tank plant in Ukraine.

• In May, the company said that this plant would produce German tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. On July 10, Rheinmetall announced that it would open a plant in Ukraine within 12 weeks.

• On July 21, Armin Papperger said that Rheinmetall intends to continue cooperation despite threats from the Russian Federation.