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
Lithuania procures LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks from KNDS
19.12.2024On behalf of the Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence (DMA), the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract with KNDS Deutschland for the delivery of 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 tanks to the Lithuanian Army. This is the first time in its history that Lithuania has set up an armoured unit and so becomes the 23rd LEOPARD 2 user nation.
The contract is worth EUR 950 million and, in addition to the LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks, includes a comprehensive spare parts and logistics package.
Lithuania was the first nation to implement the plan to procure the LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tank together with the Federal Republic of Germany as part of the so-called Common Procurement Agreement, thus making a significant contribution to Europe's common defence capability. Further countries are planning to join this joint procurement project.
This was preceded by the signing of the Purchase Confirmation by Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė for the procurement of the 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 in the presence of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The Lithuanian army will receive the latest version of the LEOPARD 2 main battle tank. As is already the case for Norway and Germany, the completely new LEOPARD 2 A8 will be equipped with the APS TROPHY active protection system, among other things. This provides it with the most modern and effective 360° protection against shoulder-launched anti-tank missiles and drones.
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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.