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
New LEOPARD 2 A8 fleet for Sweden
20.12.2024Sweden has commissioned KNDS Germany to deliver a total of 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks to the army. In addition, the modernization of the LEOPARD 2 fleet has now been extended to include all of the 110 Swedish systems. Corresponding contracts were signed with the procurement office (FMV) in Munich in two stages.
The first contract signed on November 6, 2024 initially comprised 24 main battle tank systems. At the same time, negotiations were already underway to trigger the second lot for 20 additional LEOPARD 2 A8s. This contract was signed on December 19, 2024.
Sweden, which had delivered ten of its LEOPARD 2 systems to the Ukraine, is replacing these with 24 LEOPARD 2 A8. Delivery of the newly manufactured LEOPARD 2 A8, which will be designated STRV 123 B in Sweden, is expected to begin in the second half of 2027.
The modernization of 66 LEOPARD 2, as well as the 44 systems already under contract, includes a higher level of protection, a new weapon system, new driving and operator concepts, an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) and further digitalization measures. The upgrade work is expected to begin in 2028, after completion of the first modernization contract.
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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.