The joint venture of the German arms manufacturer company Rheinmetall and Ukraine’s state-owned Ukrainian Defence Industry (formerly Ukroboronprom) company was officially registered last week.

"Rheinmetall – Ukrainian Defence Industry LLC was registered on 18 October. I am glad to announce this during the German-Ukrainian Business Forum in Berlin," Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, said on Telegram.

He said that this company will be engaged in the maintenance and repair of Western equipment, which was delivered to Ukraine.

In addition, the production of leading models of Rheinmetall AG equipment is located there.

Rheinmetall previously revealed that the company would be based in Kyiv and engaged in service and maintenance, as well as assembly, production and development of military vehicles.

At the end of September 2023, Rheinmetall received permission from the German Federal Antimonopoly Office to set up a joint venture with the Ukrainian Defence Industry.

Ukraine became the largest recipient of German weapons in 2023.