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Franco-German defense giant KNDS opens facility in Ukraine

KNDS, the Franco-German defense leader, has officially begun operations in Ukraine, opening a local branch in Kyiv. The company will support Ukraine’s defense industry by maintaining and repairing key weapons systems, including Leopard tanks and CAESAR artillery, while also collaborating on joint production of 155-mm shells.

byOlena Mukhina

01/10/2024

1 minute read

Leopard 2A4 operated by members of the Ukrainian Army. Illustrative image, photo credit: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Franco-German defense giant KNDS opens facility in Ukraine

KNDS, the Franco-German defense company, has begun operations in Ukraine and opened a local branch in Kyiv, according to Militarnyi.

The enterprise will help the Ukrainian industry maintain, repair, and overhaul its manufactured weapons, including Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, CAESAR and PzH 2000 artillery systems, and AMX 10RC armored vehicles.

KNDS Ukraine LLC subsidiary will cooperate with Ukrainian government agencies and defense-industrial companies. The company’s establishment followed the presentation of the joint French-German government led by Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin in 2024.

KNDS and the Ukrainian industry also plan to jointly produce 155-mm artillery shells and their spare parts in Ukraine.

The enterprise noted that Ukraine is currently using or has contracted nearly 800 units of weapons and ammunition from the Franco-German giant, making it one of its most significant industrial partners.

The idea behind supporting the repair capabilities of Ukraine’s defense industry is to prioritize the local production of frequently breaking parts. It aims to simplify logistics during equipment maintenance and repair, speeding up the return of the equipment to the battlefield.

The subsidiary also plans to produce complete systems from scratch at its facilities in the future.

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