PRESS RELEASE
Munich/Jonava, 26. Juni 2025 – There has been a change in the board of directors and management structure at Lithuania Defense Services UAB (LDS), the Lithuanian joint venture of KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme.
Markus Schmidt was appointed chairman of the LDS board of directors with effect from June 1, 2025. Markus Schmidt, previously Senior Vice President After Sales & Logistics at KNDS Germany, took over the position from Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Germany.
Vilius Semeška, previously Deputy Minister of Defence and former member of the Lithuanian Parliament, was also appointed to the LDS Board of Directors. His responsibilities include the conceptual orientation of LDS as a partner to the Lithuanian armed forces, providing support to the German Armed Forces in the formation of the German brigade, and working together with NATO forces in the Baltic region. In addition, his remit includes expanding the range of services provided by LDS as a key national defense technology industry, including the construction of new vehicles.
"We are delighted that Vilius Semeška is joining our LDS management team, bringing with him many years of experience in both the private and public sectors," remarked Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Germany.
Jonava-based LDS offers a wide range of services, from maintenance and repair of vehicle systems for the Lithuanian Armed Forces and NATO allies to logistical support.
Press contact
Christian Budde
Press Officer
KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Ebertstraße 24 / Pariser Platz 6a
10117 Berlin
Telefon: +49.30.2060978 33 05
E-Mail : christian.budde@knds.de
www.knds.de
About KNDS
KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.
KNDS forms a Group of more than 10,000 employees, with a 2024 turnover of 3.8 billion euro, an order backlog of around 23.5 billion euro and incoming orders of 11.2 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, robotics, 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 strategic alliance between KMW (now KNDS Deutschland) and Nexter (now KNDS France) enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective nationa l army. In addition, it 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.
