His company is benefiting from Putin’s war of aggression and should deliver what could trigger a “turn of the era”: Armin Popperger, 59, chairman of German arms giant Rheinmetall. Sales 2022: 6.4 billion euros, with a strong upward trend. Ukraine in particular expects Papperger’s range of tanks (eg Marder, Leopard) in these weeks.
Bild am Sontag: Mr. Paperker, how many martens are still in the yard that can be delivered to Ukraine?
Armin Paperker: “Until recently, we had a total of 140 Martens in stock. 40 of them have been allocated to Greece since Athens handed over Soviet-designed armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. The first installment of 20 Martens has already been fully repaired and most have been delivered to Athens. Now the next 20 are in the final stages of machining in our workshops.
Boxer Wheeled Armored Vehicle: Australian Armed Forces Boxer Wheeled Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle armed with a 30mm autocannon.
How long does it take to repair a Marton?
Papers: “We are working for six months on each of the 40 Martens for Greece. The remaining 100 vehicles are in poor condition, so it will take seven to eight months.
How quickly can Ukraine deliver if Greece is behind?
Papers: “Of course, we can deliver the remaining 20 Martens scheduled for Greece to Ukraine in time. We are working under high pressure and the other vehicles will arrive in April. Faster way: Bundeswehr delivers its Martens to Ukraine, then you fill the gap with repaired tanks. That would be a possibility. But Central Only the government can take this decision. We are ready. But the government has not yet told us where the promised 40 martens will come from Ukraine.
Wheeled Howitzer: The HX truck-mounted 155mm gun is fast moving. The howitzer has a fully automatic, remote-controlled gun turret
Ukraine also wants Leopard main battle tanks. How many of these can be provided?
Papers: “We still have 22 Cheetah 2 vehicles that we can prepare for use and deliver to Ukraine. We have 88 more vehicles from Cheetah 1. But these tanks cannot be repaired without an order, because the cost is several hundred million euros. Rheinmetall cannot finance it in advance.
Lynx: Combat support vehicle can refuel crane, winch, snow blade and other vehicles. It actively supports pioneers
How long does it take to recover Leopard Tanks?
Papers: “Less than a year. Vehicles must not only be repainted, but also modified for combat use. They are completely disassembled and rebuilt. This means that even if we decide tomorrow that we can send our Leopard tanks to Kyiv, the delivery will be until early next year.
Will Leopard Tanks Really Help Win the Ukraine War?
Papers: “Leopard main battle tank is very important for offensive and territory recovery. With battle tanks, an army can break through enemy lines and end long trench warfare. With Cheetah, players can advance ten kilometers at a time.
Nari: The Nari is used for troop transport and as a protected medical vehicle. This model can carry four casualties
German Gebhardt anti-aircraft tank runs out of ammunition in Ukraine When can you deliver?
Papers: “We will complete the production of the first lot (section, version) of ammunition by June/July. By the middle of next year we will deliver 300,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine. It’s a lot, so we hope that Ukraine’s Cheetah ammunition problem will be solved.”
The government is investing 100 billion euros to upgrade the Bundeswehr. But arms procurement is starting slowly. Is politics, the armed forces or industry too slow?
Cheetah 2: Cheetah 2 is considered one of the best battle tanks in the world. It has a 120 mm cannon. Rheinmetall manufactures ammunition of various calibers for tanks and artillery
Papers: “Critics make it too easy for themselves. We don’t have martial law in Germany, so the normal review cycles for arms contracts have to be taken care of. We work very well with the procurement office of the Bundeswehr, the Federal Chancellor and the Defense Minister. So far, things are going well with the €100 billion package. This In the first quarter of the year, we will conclude negotiations for the Bundeswehr’s ground vehicles, especially the heavy infantry weapon carrier and the air landing platform.
Have you hired new employees since the war in Ukraine?
Papers: “1200 men and women.”
Puma: The Puma infantry fighting vehicle is intended to replace the mortar. Despite several technical glitches, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) wants to stick with Puma after a detailed damage analysis.
Rheinmetall shares are rising. Are you a war profiteer?
Papers: “This term is completely wrong. We provide supplies to defend our country and our NATO allies. We are crisis workers, not war profiteers. But you personally benefit from the increased sales along with the recorded stock price and your salary. Management at Rheinmetall has targeted contracts. But if the target is reached, there will be no increase in salary. Therefore, my staff and I did not benefit from the war in Ukraine. “
This article comes from BILD am SONNTAG. An ePaper of the full issue is available Here.
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