European KNDS Opens Subsidiary in Ukraine

European defense consortium KNDS has established a subsidiary in Kyiv under the name KNDS Ukraine LLC.

The new entity aims to strengthen collaboration with Ukrainian government institutions, the domestic defense industry, and support Ukrainian Armed Forces capabilities. KNDS, a Franco-German group formed through the merger of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter Systems, has been a key partner for Ukraine, deploying nearly 800 systems and providing ammunition supplies.

The subsidiary's purpose includes enhancing the Ukrainian defense industry's capacity to maintain, repair, and overhaul KNDS systems, such as Leopard 1 and 2 tanks, CAESAR artillery systems, AMX 10RC, and PzH 2000 howitzers. KNDS and local partners also plan to co-produce 155 mm artillery ammunition and spare parts in Ukraine using advanced manufacturing technologies.

The establishment of KNDS Ukraine LLC follows a Franco-German government initiative announced on March 22, 2024, by France's Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, aimed at consolidating the Ukrainian land industry and improving operational readiness.