Christian Budde
KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Krauss-Maffei-Str. 11
D-80997 München
Tel.: +49 89 8140-5498
Fax: +49 89 8140-4977
E-Mail: knds-pressservice (at) knds.de
Bundeswehr orders 18 new LEOPARD 2 A8 battle tanks and triggers the option for twelve new PzH 2000
25.05.2023The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) a contract for the production of 18 new type LEOPARD 2 A8 battle tanks. The contract was signed by both parties in Koblenz. Delivery of the systems is scheduled to begin in 2025. The new LEOPARD 2 A8s will replace the German tank force's vehicles, which were recently handed over to Ukraine as part of military support operations.
The framework agreement concluded today also includes options for the production of a further 105 LEOPARD 2 A8s and a comprehensive service package.
In addition KMW has also been commissioned to produce twelve new PzH 2000 for the German artillery force as part of the option agreement made in March 2023. In total, the option includes 18 PzH 2000 type howitzers in three lots of six systems.
Press contact
KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.
KNDS forms a Group of around 9,500 employees, with a 2023 turnover of 3.3 billion euro, an order backlog of around 16 billion euro and incoming orders of 7.8 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment.
The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The alliance of KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. In addition, KNDS offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.
KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.