Ukraine war briefing: German defence giant sparks row after comparing Ukraine drone makers to ‘housewives’

Rheinmetall CEO’s dismissive comments draw pointed reaction from Ukrainian prime minister and adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy. What we know on day 1,496 German defence giant Rheinmetall has sought to ease a row caused by its CEO when he likened Ukrainian factories producing drones to “housewives” making weapons in their kitchens. In an interview with the Atlantic, CEO Armin Papperger was asked whether Ukraine’s drone technology could disrupt his industry, which focused more on areas such as ar...

By Guardian staff

German arms manufacturer in damage control mode after PR disaster and stock slump

Rheinmetall’s CEO has been criticized after making derisive remarks about Ukraine’s low-cost and highly efficient drone technology.

By Jules Rimmer

Ukraine hits back against arms maker CEO’s housewives’ drones comments

Ukrainians have criticised German arms maker Rheinmetall after its CEO dismissed their country’s drone-focused defence innovation as basic technology put together by housewives in kitchens. For Kyiv, drones have been critical to its war effort against Russia and are a source of pride as the country has fended off a bigger and better-armed enemy in […]