Germany's largest defense group breaks ground on first factory in Ukraine

According to RIA Novosti, the head of the German defense corporation Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, in an interview with TSN on October 26 announced the opening of the first defense plant in Ukraine.

“The first plant has already been put into operation. The Ukrainian defense industry is our partner,” he said.

According to Mr. Papperger, the company is preparing to launch the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle by the end of 2024. In addition, there are plans to build a gunpowder factory as well as factories for ammunition and air defense systems.

In March, Rheinmetall announced plans to build four factories in Ukraine.

Rheinmetall is Germany's largest defense company. It is believed to have benefited greatly from the conflict in Ukraine and is expected to see significant increases in profits in the future. In 2023, the company's revenue is expected to increase by 12% to €7.1 billion and Rheinmetall's net profit will increase by 9% to €0.6 billion.

Responding to these statements, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned that Russia would celebrate the inauguration of a military plant in Ukraine by the German company Rheinmetall with “celebratory fireworks”.

“German interest Rheinmetall has opened the first of four military plants in Ukraine, as promised earlier. We are looking forward to Russian “fireworks” at the plant,” Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on October 26, along with a video of a powerful explosion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has noted that any cargo containing weapons to Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that NATO countries are "playing with fire" by supplying weapons to Ukraine.