Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits: KNDS provides information on production ramp-up at key Kassel site

Kassel, July 21, 2026 – Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius visited the KNDS Deutschland site in Kassel as part of his troop and industry tour. The focus of the visit was on information about technological product innovations, discussions with employees, as well as the company’s industrial production ramp-up.

During the visit, the Federal Minister gained insights primarily into the development and production of state-of-the-art turret systems for the LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tank and for the RCH 155 wheeled howitzer with its technologically unique, fully automated Artillery Gun Module (AGM). Both systems are exemplary of KNDS’s technological capabilities and the growing importance of modern land systems.

“KNDS invests, develops, produces and builds. You can feel the spirit of renewal that prevails here. Today I spoke with many employees in manufacturing, and I am pleased to hear how proud they are of their work. The know-how has been built up over decades. We want to safeguard and retain this. Germany needs this courage to invest. In the wars of the future, we need a healthy mix of manned and unmanned systems. On land, on water and in the air. KNDS stands for German mechanical engineering, automation, high technology and networking. This is not only relevant for the German defense industry and the equipment of the Bundeswehr, but KNDS is also an important economic factor for the region,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

“The war in Ukraine and the realization that the security of Germany and Europe can no longer be taken for granted have ushered in a turning point that requires all of us to adopt a new pace and a new dimension of cooperation. Together with our customer, we are doing everything we can to keep our systems technologically up to date at all times and to pursue resilient approaches in order to best meet the increased military requirements with efficient, digitalized manufacturing processes. That is why we are – as here in Kassel – consistently investing in technological innovations across all dimensions, forming partnerships with selected technology and industry partners, and driving the expansion of our production capacities. Our goal is to reliably meet the growing demand for technologically superior, robust, and mission-ready land systems. KNDS is thus making an indispensable contribution to the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr and its allied partners”, said Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland.

Foto KNDS: vl. Dr. Axel Scheibel, CTO; Florian Hohenwarter CFO; Defense Minister Boris Pistorius

KNDS is a German-French defence company and one of the leading manufacturers of military land systems in Europe. Alongside Munich, Kassel is one of the two largest KNDS Deutschland sites and plays a key role in the development and production of the company’s central programmes.

With the production ramp-up, KNDS is also strengthening the industrial location of Northern Hesse. The Kassel site is thus continuing to develop into a key employer and driver of innovation in the region.

In addition to expanding production, KNDS continuously invests in research and development. Kassel plays a decisive role in the technological advancement of current and future land systems and makes a significant contribution to transferring innovations into industrial production more quickly.

As a partner of the Bundeswehr and numerous allied armed forces, KNDS makes a major contribution to implementing the historic shift in security and defence policy and to strengthening European and transatlantic collective defence. In order to meet the significantly increased demand for modern, technologically advanced land systems, the company is consistently expanding its production capacities at all German sites. This applies in particular to the core programmes LEOPARD 2, the protected 8x8 wheeled vehicle BOXER, and the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle.