PRESS RELEASE
TATRA DEFENCE and KNDS Deutschland jointly strengthen Czech defense industry
Munich/Kopřivnice, December 18, 2025 – KNDS Deutschland (KNDS) and TATRA DEFENCE have signed a contract for the production of a total of 150 hulls for the LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tank. The contract also includes an option for up to 300 additional hulls. This step represents a significant milestone in the development of the Czech defense industry and underscores the capabilities of Czech companies. The Hungarian army is celebrating the completion of the Leopard 2A7HU delivery with a public parade. In the presence of Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces General Gábor Böröndi, the 1st Armored Brigade presented its systems. Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Deutschland (KNDS), attended at the invitation of the Chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces.
The partnership with KNDS is based on long-term cooperation and mutual trust. The associated transfer of know-how brings new technologies, additional manufacturing capacity, and jobs to the Moravian-Silesian Region.
The contract is part of the comprehensive commitment of the Czech defense industry to the LEOPARD 2 A8 program, which the Czech Republic joined along with other countries, and currently represents the implementation of European defense cooperation like few other projects.
TATRA DEFENCE will be responsible for welding the LEOPARD 2 A8 hulls, including quality control and technological processes.
“The strategic partnership with KNDS Deutschland strengthens our position as a reliable and technologically advanced partner in Europe. At the same time, it opens up additional opportunities for future cooperation on new projects for the development and maintenance of armored platforms,” said the Tomáš Mohapl, CEO of TATRA DEFENCE VEHICLE
Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Deutschland: “I am pleased that we have a competent partner like TATRA DEFENCE at our side. The goal is not only to produce for Germany and the Czech Republic, but also to establish the cooperation as a permanent manufacturing location to strengthen European defense capabilities.”
Building on this project, there are plans to increase production volumes and expand to other KNDS platforms, such as the LEGUAN bridge-laying system, in which the Czech Army is interested. Furthermore, cooperation with KNDS France will be intensified for the 6x6 TITUS wheeled vehicle and other systems.
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.
