PRESS RELEASE
The Netherlands equips its new tank battalion with LEOPARD 2 A8
Munich/Amersfoort, 14 May 2025
The Royal Dutch Armed Forces will once again have their own LEOPARD 2 main battle tanks. At the Bernardkazerne in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw), on behalf of the Dutch procurement agency Commando Materieel en IT (COMMIT), signed a contract with KNDS Deutschland for the procurement of LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks.
Based on the framework agreement established by the BAAINBw, which allows other countries to procure the LEOPARD 2 in the A8 configuration, the Dutch Army will receive 46 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks with an option for six additional systems.
For the first time since the abolition of main battle tanks in 2011, the Dutch Armed Forces will once again have their own tank battalion. The systems will be stationed in Lohheide, Lower Saxony. Since 2016, approximately 3,000 Dutch soldiers have been integrated into the 1st Armored Division.
The Dutch Land Forces are thus once again underscoring their close cooperation with the German Army. The LEOPARD 2 main battle tank has been introduced in 15 European countries and is a symbol of interoperability, successful standardization, and Europeanization. The LEOPARD 2 has 23 user countries worldwide.
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 national 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.
Press contact:
Christian Budde Press Officer
KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Ebertstraße 24 / Pariser Platz 6a 10117 Berlin
Telefon: +49.30.2060978 3305 E-Mail : christian.budde@knds.de www.knds.de
