German manufacturers initially kept a low profile on Tuesday when the German government announced plans to sell heavy weapons such as the Gepard tank to Ukraine.

Neither Rheinmetall nor Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) in Munich wanted to confirm the project.

The Franco-German tank manufacturer KNDS, in which KMW has a 50 percent stake, combined its reluctance with criticism of the handling of arms exports: "It used to be good practice not to publicly put pressure on the Federal Security Council before making such decisions," the company announced that "for some people, political calculations or greed for money seem to triumph over decency and common sense these days".

Ulrich Friese

Editor in Business.

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Jonas Jansen

Business correspondent in Düsseldorf.

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The tip is to be understood as criticism of the actions of politicians in Berlin and the competitor Rheinmetall.

Armin Papperger, the CEO of the Düsseldorf-based group, has repeatedly publicly announced in recent times that it can deliver Leopard or Marder tanks directly to the Ukraine, or that the Bundeswehr can be quickly equipped with the necessary military equipment.

In the wake of such statements, the manufacturer's shares rose sharply.

With his lonely advances, the head of Rheinmetall then regularly offended the armaments planners of the Bundeswehr and other manufacturers.

Expansion outside of Europe

Despite the recent skirmishes, both companies have traditionally been closely linked in various armament programs.

KMW is the leading manufacturer and system integrator for Leopard and Gepard tanks, while the manufacturer from Düsseldorf with its turrets is responsible for the superstructure of the heavy tracked vehicles.

The duo cooperates in a very similar way on the Panzerhaubitze 2000, which is now also being discussed for arms deliveries to the Ukraine, or on the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, which is intended to replace the aging Marder, and the Boxer wheeled tank.

Otherwise, there are worlds between the armaments manufacturers from Munich and Düsseldorf.

Years ago Papperger failed in his attempt to take over KMW due to resistance from the owners of the family-run company.

Since then, the listed Bundeswehr outfitter has made a name for itself by expanding primarily outside of Europe.

The people of Munich are also pushing their international business.

Years ago, KMW boss Frank Haun allied himself with the French tank manufacturer Nexter in order to develop a European successor to the Leopard 2 main battle tank with the partner from Paris – under the umbrella of KNDS.

Measured by such standards, military experts have serious doubts about the operational suitability of the now planned export of outdated military equipment to Ukraine.

After that, Rheinmetall is said to be ready to deliver 1st generation Leopards and temporarily decommissioned Marder infantry fighting vehicles from its current stocks - together with the logistics required on site, such as tools, spare parts and ammunition.

The total order volume is expected to reach around 150 million euros.

However, the necessary permits are still pending, it said on Tuesday.

The system leader KMW also has a two-digit number of Gepard tanks ready for sale to the Ukraine.

The heavy war machine, which is based on the engine and chassis of a Leopard tank, was discarded by the Bundeswehr when the army had to dismantle its own air defense for cost reasons.

Meanwhile, Qatar's military has expressed an interest in buying some cheetahs to protect its soccer stadiums from possible drone attacks during the next World Cup.

Irrespective of this, those in the know have doubts that there will be enough ammunition and the necessary logistics available for the Leopard 1 and Gepard types that have been decommissioned.

Rheinmetall can fill such gaps, which with its 25,000 employees turns over around 5.7 billion euros a year and, in addition to tanks and anti-aircraft systems, also produces ammunition and protective clothing for soldiers.

In addition to the delivery of military equipment that has long been written off, the manufacturer from Düsseldorf is now hoping for lucrative new business, which should grow from the debt-financed "special fund" for the German armed forces.

Barely 24 hours after the “turning point” announced in Berlin, Rheinmetall boss Papperger presented a list that he could supply to his long-standing regular customer.

The order value reached an impressive 42 billion euros.

A high amount in the billions is allotted to the urgently needed ammunition.