technology
Germany Plans 40% Stake in KNDS to Match French Holding
The German government announced Monday it intends to acquire a 40% stake in KNDS. France already holds 50% of the company formed by the 2015 merger of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter.
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The German government announced Monday that it intends to acquire a 40% stake in defense contractor KNDS. The French state already holds a 50% stake in the company, which was formed in 2015 through the merger of Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and France's Nexter. The remaining 50% of KNDS is held by the German family behind Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
The firm is headquartered in Amsterdam and reported 4.4 billion euros ($5 billion) in revenue last year with more than 11,000 employees. Its products include Leopard and Leclerc tanks as well as Puma infantry fighting vehicles and Boxer and Dingo armored personnel carriers. " The German and French governments reached an agreement on the strategy and governance of KNDS.
They intend to become joint shareholders through transactions aiming at equal shareholding levels for both countries. The accord paves the way for a possible IPO of KNDS in the near future. " A new production line for Boxer 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carriers opened in Munich on April 22, 2026.
