PRESS RELEASE
KNDS Expands LEOPARD 2 Production with New Plant in Lithuania
Munich / Kaunas, December 11, 2025 - An assembly plant for the production of up to 41 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks will be built in Kaunas, Lithuania. A corresponding contract was signed between the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS), the manufacturer of the LEOPARD main battle tank.
Lithuania Defense Services (LDS)* will be subcontracted by KNDS for the project's implementation.
Furthermore, an agreement was signed guaranteeing the availability of the LEOPARD 2 A8. This includes the training of skilled personnel for both manufacturing and maintenance work, as well as logistical support for the systems over a period of five years, starting after the delivery of the first system.
"This contract is a clear indication that we are able to quickly and easily adapt the production of our products to the challenges facing Europe at this time. This project, in particular, perfectly embodies the spirit of close European cooperation in the field of land systems, as the contract for the LEOPARD 2 A8 systems was concluded under the framework agreement established by the German Federal Government and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support," says Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Germany.
This followed Lithuania's decision in December 2024 to procure 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks under the Common Procurement Agreement (CPA). Lithuania was the first country to join the CPA procurement program.
The LEOPARD 2 A8 tanks will be delivered to the Lithuanian Army between 2028 and 2030.
* Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) is a joint venture of KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall Landsysteme.
Presscontact
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 leading pan-European land defence company, uniting over 10,000 employees and generating €3.8 billion in revenue in 2024. With a strong order backlog of €23.5 billion, the group delivers innovative complete mission solutions built on state-of-the art technologies. Leveraging deep industrial expertise and strong partnerships, KNDS develops open, interoperable solutions combining manned and unmanned systems, designed to meet tomorrow’s operational challenges. As a prime contractor, it provides full system-of-systems capabilities, from platforms to ammunition and services, managing the entire value chain and encompassing complete product life cycles
Born from the alliance of Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, uniting key nations within a single group, KNDS embodies the path toward a collective and efficient future for the sovereignty and security of Europe’s defence by supporting the standardization and interoperability between European and NATO forces.
Trusted by 24 European armies and 19 worldwide, KNDS benefits from decades of combat-proven experience. KNDS embodies a united, efficient model to enhance stability and long-term security in Europe and beyond.
