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KNDS makes record-breaking progress on loitering ammunition

Paris, 19th June 2024

  • KNDS has developed two new types of warheads for the COLIBRI and LARINAE projects launched by the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID), which are on the verge of being demonstrated.

  • The COLIBRI loitering ammunition, launched a year ago by Delair and KNDS France, is under contract for Ukraine.

A first flight with an active payload in June 2024 for COLIBRI

In partnership with Delair, a UAV manufacturer, KNDS has developed an innovative warhead for a loitering ammunition capable of observing, identifying and neutralizing a static or dynamic threat within a radius of 5km, with a range of 45 minutes. A demonstrator of its innovative warhead has been made in less than two years. The first demonstrator will carry out test flights with this warhead at the end of June 2024, in cooperation with the French defense procurement agency (DGA).

LARINAE, the anti-armored loitering ammunition, takes off

With a range of 3 hours, between 80 and 120km, this loitering ammunition will carry a 3kg explosively-formed penetrator charge capable of dealing with armoured targets while foiling their active protection systems. In partnership with EOS Technologie and TRAAK, the first demonstrations with an inert charge will take place in early 2025.

This system which could be reusable will also enable it to carry out intelligence missions using an electro-optical system which is able to detect a vehicle at 15 km by day and 3 km by night. It will have navigation capabilities in a contested environment (jamming) thanks to its secured radio link at up to 80km provided by KNDS France Robotics. LARINAE is proposed with two different platforms: a vertical take-off and landing system (VTOL) and a high-speed UAV (VELOCE). Both are equipped with a high-performance solution for arming and disarmin the warhead, allowing the operator to recover them easily and safely.

KNDS, a credible partner with loitering ammunition know-how

The AID has entrusted KNDS with the rapid development of a loitering ammunition, not only to make up for France's lag in this area, but also to ensure that it is "one war ahead", in the words of the French forces Chief of Staff. KNDS develops, integrates and produces loitering ammunition systems in order to meet current threats with innovative warheads for various targets; various navigation and attack modes integrating GNSS denied environments; safe, secured and ergonomic systems for operators.

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Press contact

Dr. Kurt Braatz
Chief Communications Officer
Phone: +31 20 218 4710
E-Mail: kurt.braatz (at) knds.nl

KNDS (KMW+NEXTER Defense Systems) is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France. KNDS forms a Group of 8,300 employees, with a 2020 revenue of 2.4 billion euro, an order backlog of around 10,6 billion euro and incoming orders of 3,3 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, 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 and Nexter 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.