HISTORY OF KNDS

For the first time, KNDS showcases the two next steps of its MBT roadmap: the LEOPARD 2 A-RC 3.0 and the Leclerc Evolution. Both systems are under development, and they both integrate a modular turret which gun can be switched from 120 mm to 140mm ASCALON® gun.

The Leclerc Evolution is equipped with a manned turret hosting a 120 mm ASCALON® gun, which can be easily retrofitted to higher calibers up to 140 mm. Introducing a new concept with four crew members that is adapted to the latest tactical situations, the Leclerc Evolution integrates a deputy commander crew station fitted in the chassis to manage an extensive sensors and effectors suite, such as the ARX 30 RCWS perfectly fitted for counter-UAV warfare and a loitering ammunition launcher.

The LEOPARD 2 A-RC 3.0 is a 3-crew MBT with an unmanned and modular turret that can host a main gun from 120mm to 140mm and its autoloader. The turret also integrates a 30mm secondary weapon and antitank missiles.

Both the Leclerc Evolution and the LEOPARD 2 A-RC 3.0 will ensure a commercial complementarity and a joint perspective for the third step of KNDS’ strategy: the development of MBT demonstrators preparing for the development of MGCS.

KNDS, the merger of the German and French land defense systems providers Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter, is harmonizing its brand image. In future, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Nexter and their subsidiaries will appear exclusively under the single brand KNDS. KNDS is thus underlining its claim of being a driving force in the necessary consolidation of the European industry for military land systems. So far, the industry has been characterized by numerous national manufacturers with a wide range of products and systems. Their consolidation and joint strategic governance will make a significant contribution to the standardization of land forces in Europe and the other customers of Europe’s defense industry.

On August 17 and 18, 2021, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann presented a world deput to the public during a demonstration at the Klietz military training area. The RCH 155, a 155-mm wheeled howitzer system, demonstrated live firing on the move for the first time. This makes it the first system in the world to demonstrate this capability. The weapon system combines the Artillery Gun Module (AGM) developed by KMW - which is a fully automatic gun turret - with the chassis of the BOXER wheeled vehicle.

In line with the roadmap for the sustainability and renovation of the Leclerc main battle tank, the French Ministry of Defense has renewed its confidence in Nexter by reconducting the support contract, extended to include the treatment of major obsolescence and the renovation of the first 50 tanks. The launch of these operations comes at a crucial pivotal time, when the doctrines of many countries, including France, are reaffirming the central role of the heavy tank as the main mean of tactical superiority on land, in a context marked by the foreseeable return of high-intensity conflicts.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to supply additional Leguan bridge laying systems to the German Army. The contract covers 24 Leguan systems on the Leopard 2 chassis, training simulators, ancillary equipment and transport systems. The bridge layers are expected to be delivered to the Bundeswehr between 2023 and 2028.

The Artec consortium, led by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) to produce more than 500 Boxer 8x8-wheeled armoured vehicles for the British Army. The total current value of the order is approximately €2.6 billion (£2.3 billion). The contract has been awarded to Artec via the European procurement agency Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). The contract awarded to Artec falls under the UK’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) procurement programme and includes more than 500 vehicles. Artec will each sub-contract 50% of the order volume to Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. The total number of Boxer vehicles already delivered by Artec or currently on order now exceeds 1,400 vehicles. The Boxer vehicles ordered by the British Army will be supplied in several different configurations, including an armoured personnel carrier, command vehicle, specialist carrier and field ambulance. Delivery of the vehicles is expected to start from 2023.

The DGA (the French Defense Procurement Agency) notified Nexter of the contract for the Motorized Capacity program (CaMo) intended to equip the Belgian Army with armored vehicles. This market is entrusted to several contractors, with Nexter Group as a main. As an architect and system integrator of 100% of the French Army combat vehicles, Nexter is thus at the center of this strategic partnership between Belgium and France and contributes to the construction of the Europe of Defense. Nexter relies on two strategic French subcontractors, Arquus and Thales, as well as Belgian manufacturers, including FN Herstal and CMI. Strategic partnership between the French and Belgian armed forces, CaMo is a concrete example of European defense construction.

A respectful and cooperative collaboration as well as the conscious consideration of social responsibility and legal compliance form the basis for the longterm success of a company. The Compliance Officers of KNDS, KMW and Nexter, in collaboration with the management boards of all three companies, have developed a common ethics charter that establishes the standards that guide the ethical conduct of the Group. With this Ethics Charter, the KNDS Group expresses its desire to universally behave toward its customers, shareholders, service providers and all other stakeholders with whom it has a relationship in a manner that is driven by its values and principles.

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Composed of proven and tested technologies, the EMBT is a short-term response to the operational need of the market for high-intensity battle tanks. The hull, engine and entire chassis comes from the Leopard 2 A7 and were modified to host the compact and light turret with automatic loading from the Leclerc. By assembling a chassis, which is certified to MLC70 and a light turret operated by only 2 crew members instead of 3 the EMBT brings together the best in the battle tank state of the art, with an exceptional growth potential (roughly 6t) which allows to integrate many evolutions. The demonstrator illustrates the progress of the integration of KNDS, whose combined skills make it the legitimate and essential industrial actor of the Franco-German future program for the tank (MGCS).

Only a few months after the founding of KNDS, KMW and Nexter successfully presented themselves together at the world's most important defense technology trade fair of the year, Eurosatory 2016. For the first time, KMW and Nexter employees worked together on a challenging project that also received enormous public attention. This laid the foundation for a convincing collaboration.

As announced in July 2014, Nexter and KMW, two of Europe’s leading manufacturers of military land defense systems, intend to share their road ahead. The merger was called "Project Kant" and was planned as a step-by-step approach. After intense negotiations between the two companies and the French and German governments, the corresponding agreement was signed on 29 July 2015 in Paris.