United to win: KNDS, manufacturer of Leopard tanks, expands operations with new branch in Ukraine
Photo: open sources
The Franco-German company KNDS has established a new branch in Kyiv. This branch will handle the servicing and upkeep of its various equipment, such as Leopard tanks, CAESAR artillery systems, PzH 2000 howitzers, and Gepard anti-aircraft tanks.
This is reported on the KNDS website.
According to the manufacturer's press service, KNDS, a Franco-German defense group, is a major industrial partner of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. They currently have around 800 systems being used in combat or under contract and have provided a significant amount of ammunition.
"The company has opened a subsidiary in Kyiv called KNDS Ukraine LLC, which will facilitate cooperation between Ukrainian state institutions, the defense industry, and KNDS," the press release noted.
They note that the purpose of creating KNDS Ukraine is to "provide opportunities for Ukrainian industry for technical maintenance, repair, and restoration of KNDS systems – in particular:
- Leopard 1 and 2 main battle tanks,
- CAESAR artillery installation,
- AMX10 RC armored vehicles,
- PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer,
- Gepard anti-aircraft tank.
They added that this will significantly increase the combat readiness of these systems.
Additionally, KNDS and the Ukrainian industry intend to collaborate on producing 155-mm artillery shells in Ukraine and utilize cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to manufacture spare parts.
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It should be noted that in the conditions of a full-scale war, under constant Russian strikes, the Ukrainians were able to build a virtually new defense industry. Only in the first half of this year did Ukraine produce 25 times more ammunition for artillery and mortars than in the whole of 2022.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Second International Forum of Defense Industries (DFNC2) opening that a new equipment repair base had also been created in Ukraine.
"In particular, in June of this year, the first repaired Marder infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine already rolled off the assembly line. We are working to ensure that we in Ukraine can one hundred percent provide everything necessary for our Bradleys and other equipment that help our soldiers hold the front and perform vital tasks for the entire country," the president said.
He expressed gratitude to all Ukrainian business people and partners worldwide who have chosen to invest in the development of weapon production in Ukraine.
It is worth adding that Ukraine and Belgium plan to establish joint weapons production.
It was previously reported that the German arms concern Rheinmetall AG signed a memorandum with Ukraine on the expansion of strategic cooperation. The memorandum aims to define and develop further directions for closer collaboration.
Even earlier, it was reported that "Ukroboronprom" State Company and the Polish company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa would jointly produce tank shells of 125 mm caliber. Ukraine and Poland signed the corresponding agreement on April 5 this year.
In addition, Ukraine and one of the NATO countries began to produce 122-mm artillery shells. The first batch of ammunition has already been sent to the front.
JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the leading German company Dynamit Nobel Defense.
In addition, the joint-stock company Ukrainian Defense Industry signed a Memorandum of Intent to create a joint venture with Amentum Services of the United States of America.
