Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and DEFENTURE plan cooperation

16.09.2021

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the German systems supplier for battle tanks and combat systems, and Defenture, the Dutch manufacturer of special-purpose vehicles, intend to enter into close strategic cooperation. A letter of intent (LoI) has already been signed by both companies.

The background is the German Ministry of Defence's plan to procure new airborne platforms to replace the vehicles of the airborne troops, some of which are more than 20 years old.

The basis of the envisaged vehicle family is Defenture's VECTOR, which has already been introduced in the Netherlands and has proven itself in operations. For the airborne platform project, this vehicle basis will be adapted to the new requirements.

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Press contact

If you have further questions, please contact:

Christian Budde

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG
Krauss-Maffei-Str. 11
D-80997 München

Tel.:  +49 89 8140-5498
Fax: +49 89 8140-4977
E-Mail: knds-pressservice (at) knds.de

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 around 9,000 employees, with a 2022 turnover of 3.2 billion euro, an order backlog of around 11 billion euro and incoming orders of 3.4 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.