Joint-stock company "Ukrainian defense industry" and the German defense concern Rheinmetall formed a joint venture. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during the German-Ukrainian business forum held in Berlin.

"The joint venture will carry out maintenance and repair of equipment supplied by our partners to Ukraine. Also, the localization of the production of leading models of Rheinmetall AG equipment will take place at this enterprise," said the head of the Government of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister noted that the joint venture Rheinmetall UDI LLC (Rheinmetall Ukrainian defense industry LLC), which was created by the leaders of the defense industries of Germany and Ukraine, was registered on October 18.

During the forum, Denys Shmyhal handed the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz a plate with the registration number of this enterprise.

It is significant that Rheinmetall UDI LLC is the first joint venture created with foreign partners with the participation of UkrOboronProm JSC.

The basis of cooperation is the maintenance and repair of armored vehicles, which the partners transfer to Ukraine. This cooperation also involves the joint production of Rheinmetall products in Ukraine and the development of the latest weapons and military equipment on the basis of the newly established enterprise with the participation of Ukrainian and German specialists.

"UkrOboronProm worked for a long time to create a joint venture with Rheinmetall. This opens up new opportunities for the state defense industry and establishes us as a reliable player on the international stage. I am sincerely grateful to our partners for their cooperation, said Director General of UkrOboronProm Herman Smetanin during his visit to Germany. - This is a great work carried out by the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin".

The CEO of Rheinmetall Armin Papperger stressed that the German concern will become a powerful partner for Ukraine.

"Operative provision of Ukraine's urgent needs in its struggle for freedom and democracy is a matter of key importance for us at Rheinmetall. With its experience and capabilities, Rheinmetall has what it takes to be a valuable and powerful partner for Ukraine in both the short and long term. We are glad that the Ukrainian defense industry has a powerful and reliable partner that can be trusted," said Armin Papperger.

The creation of joint ventures with foreign partners is one of the key opportunities opened up by the reform of the state defense industry for the transformed UkrOboronProm. On June 28, 2023, the State Concern was transformed into the Joint-Stock Company "Ukrainian Defense Industry", which can potentially become a more understandable and transparent partner for international companies. Currently, the completion of the reform of UkrOboronProm is the focus of attention of the team of the state defense industry.