Share Source: The Atlantic
The CEO of the German company Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, dismissed Ukrainian drones, stating that their production resembles “playing with Lego,” and their development level cannot be compared with the technologies of major Western corporations.
Key Points:
- The CEO of Rheinmetall belittled Ukrainian drones, comparing their production to “playing with Lego.”
- Ukrainian drone manufacturing technologies received an insulting characterization from a representative of a major Western concern.
Papperger Rated Ukrainian Drone Production Technologies Poorly
During an interview, Simon Schuster asked Papperger what Ukraine’s progress in drone production meant for Rheinmetall’s business model. In response, the head of the concern inquired who could be considered the largest Ukrainian manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles.
When the journalist cited Fire Point and Skyfall as examples, the CEO of Rheinmetall spoke of them dismissively.
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Specifically, he referred to such manufacturers as “Ukrainian housewives” who, according to him, “have 3D printers in their kitchens and produce drone parts.”
It’s like playing with Lego. What is Ukraine’s innovation? They don’t have any technological breakthroughs.
At the same time, Papperger expressed confidence that Ukrainian developments significantly lag behind those of Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, or Rheinmetall.
They make innovations with their small drones and say, “Wow!” And that’s great. So what? But it’s not the technology level of Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, or Rheinmetall.
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Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to expand its range of indigenous drone developments. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Defense approved for use a new Ukrainian interceptor drone, the JEDI Shahed Hunter, capable of automatically detecting and destroying enemy unmanned aerial vehicles.
Its speed exceeds 350 km/h, its flight altitude reaches 6 km, and its warhead weighs about 500 grams.