German arms manufacturer to build service centre for Ukraine equipment in Romania

Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, is building a logistics centre in Romania to repair and maintain tanks and self-propelled artillery systems supplied by Western countries to Ukraine.

When constructed, the centre will service Ukrainian weapons damaged in combat, German channel n-tv reports.

Work has already begun on the site on the outskirts of Satu Mare, a city near the Ukrainian border, with the centre scheduled to start operating later this month.

A Rheinmetall spokesperson said that the facility would play a central role in maintaining the operational readiness of Western-made systems that Ukraine had received, including self-propelled artillery systems, Leopard 2 and Challenger tanks, Marder and Fuchs armoured vehicles, and military trucks.

"The key task for us at Rheinmetall is to provide the best possible support to NATO forces and Ukraine in this critical situation," Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger was quoted as saying.

Earlier, the company said that it was negotiating selling Panther KF51 tanks, one of the most advanced material, and critically needed artillery shells to Ukraine, which has been repelling Russian full-scale invasion since February 2022.

In addition, Rheinmetall is reportedly having its eyes on opening a Ukrainian factory.