German arms manufacturer builds maintenance center in Romania for tanks donated to Ukraine

By Cuneyt Karadag

BERLIN (AA) - German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has established a center in Romania for the maintenance of tanks provided to Ukraine by Western allies.

Speaking to the German press, a company spokesman said Monday that the center has been launched in the city of Satu Mare near the Ukrainian border which will be operating this month.

"Maintenance is expected to play a central role in preserving the Western combat systems used in Ukraine and ensuring the availability of logistical support," media reports cited the spokesman as saying.

The center will also provide service for self-propelled howitzers, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, Fuchs armored transport vehicles and military trucks as well as Leopard 2 and Challenger tanks.

In June last year, the company launched a similar facility in the Lithuanian city of Jonava to provide support for NATO vehicles in the Baltic states.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said it is very important for Rheinmetall to provide the best possible support to NATO forces and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, speaking at Romania, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed Rheinmetall's decision.

Scholz said he is very happy that so many European countries are willing to act with them in supporting Ukraine.