Ukraine says Leopard manufacturer to open a facility in the country
The French-German tank manufacturer KNDS Deutschland, which manufactures Leopard 2 tanks, has opened a joint venture for servicing military equipment in Ukraine. This was announced by Ukrainian Minister for Strategic Industries German Smetanin in his Telegram channel on January 21.
"I am pleased to announce the official opening of a joint venture between KMW (KNDS Deutschland) and one of the Ukrainian defense enterprises. The newly established company will specialize in the maintenance and repair of military equipment supplied by the German company to the Ukrainian defense forces," he wrote.
Smetanin also said that Ukrainian specialists have been trained in Germany, and the first systems have already been installed at the facilities.
Earlier, on October 7, 2024, Ukraine and Slovakia planned joint production of engineering equipment. It is specified that it is planned to produce demining machines Bozena with localization in Ukraine.
Western countries have increased military and financial support for Ukraine against the background of the special operation of the Russian Federation to protect Donbass, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military. However, the West has recently been increasingly vocal about the need to reduce support for Kiev.
