The defence technology group KNDS, in which Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (Germany) and Nexter (France) merged to form the leading European company for military land systems, ammunition and related services, has presented its key figures for fiscal year 2021. The company continued its growth trajectory on a solid basis in an environment that remained strongly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and other uncertainties.

With a slight decline in incoming orders of 2.8 billion euro, KNDS’ consolidated order backlog reached another record high of 10.7 billion euro. Major orders came from Germany with the upgrade of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle to the latest standards, as well as from the Czech Republic and France for the Caesar artillery system.

The Group generated sales of 2.7 billion euro in 2021, while its workforce grew to 8,767 employees. The outstanding revenue contributions to the 2021 financial year consisted of deliveries of the Griffon and Jaguar vehicle systems to the French Armed Forces as well as the realization of the enhanced combat effectiveness program for the Leopard 2 fleet of the German Bundeswehr. These major projects were accompanied by strong sales in the ammunition business and services. KNDS plans to generate 3.1 billion euro in turnover and further expand its workforce to around 9,100 employees for the current 2022 financial year.

“As in the previous year, we have achieved or exceeded all of our economic targets,” says Frank Haun, CEO of KNDS, of the company’s performance, “and, since February 2022, it has become clear that there will be a profound change in the way security policy is thought and acted out in Europe. This not only concerns increasing investment in the deterrent and operational capacity of the European armed forces. We also expect further consolidation of the European defence industry. KNDS was founded seven years ago to play a key role in shaping this consolidation. We are already present in eight European countries and will further strengthen our leading position as a European supplier of military land systems.”

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