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Ukrainians chide German defense boss for jibes about ‘Lego’ drones made by ‘housewives’
Rheinmetall's CEO downplayed Ukraine's drone tech as 'kitchen 3-D printing,' sparking backlash; Ukrainian drones reportedly destroyed over 11,000 Russian tanks, officials said.
- In an interview published Friday, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger dismissed Ukraine's drone industry as "housewives with 3-D printers in the kitchen," likening the production work to "playing with Lego."
- Ukraine's drone sector produces around four million units annually and has reportedly destroyed more than 11,000 Russian tanks, making the technology vital to the nation's four-year defense strategy.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the remarks "strange," saying "If every Ukrainian housewife can really produce drones, then every Ukrainian housewife could also be the CEO of Rheinmetall." Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko called the comments sexist.
- Rheinmetall issued a statement Sunday expressing "utmost respect" for Ukraine's defense efforts and praising the "innovative strength and fighting spirit" of its people, though notably omitting an apology for Papperger's remarks.
- The controversy risks straining relations between Rheinmetall and Kyiv as Ukraine expands defense partnerships, despite the German manufacturer remaining a key supplier of tanks and 155mm artillery rounds to the region.
93 Articles
93 Articles
In an interview, Friday, March 27, the words of the CEO of the German defence giant Rheinmetall provoked an outcry on the Ukrainian side. By reducing Ukrainian women working in the weapons factories to...
The Rheinmetall head Armin Papperger mocks the Ukrainian drone production as a work of »housewives« – and thus reveals more about patriarchal thinking patterns in the armaments industry than about the Ukraine war.
CHRONIQUE. The boss of the German armament giant, Armin Papperger, has made very despicable statements in the press towards the Ukrainians. Is the defence industry conducive to condescending?, asks Isabelle Chaperon, columnist at the "World Economy" service.
Ukrainian housewives and their drones: Cottage industry
Europe throws billions at its defence sector. Ukraine’s kitchen-table innovators are already cashing in. Great news for Ukrainian housewives. The European Commission this week approved a 1.5 billion euros work programme under its European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), and 260 million euros of it is earmarked for rebuilding Ukraine’s defence-industrial base. That should buy a lot of 3D printers. Perhaps best not to tell Armin Papperger, boss…
The CEO of the German arms company Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, has sparked a wave of criticism when, in an interview with The Atlantic, he called Ukrainian drones “playing with Lego” and questioned their technological level. According to him, these are not breakthrough weapons like those produced by Lockheed Martin or Rheinmetall. He called professional Ukrainian companies, which are among the major manufacturers of drones for the Ukrainian ar…
Rheinmetall-Chef Armin Papperger makes fun of the drone technology of Ukraine. He could learn a lot there for his company. It would be necessary.
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