With a strategic partnership spanning over 30 years since the UAE acquired 436 Leclerc tanks, KNDS France reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Emirati Armed Forces for the next three decades. As part of this, KNDS France has structured a Leclerc main battle tank modernization project in collaboration with key Emirati players, including EDGE Group and BHE, marking a significant step forward in cooperation between these companies. Since then, an ambitious offer has been under discussion with the UAE Ministry of Defense to elevate the Leclerc to an unprecedented level of performance.
KNDS Emirates, the company’s subsidiary in Abu Dhabi, was established to support the UAE’s ambition to develop a strong and sovereign defense industry. This entity strengthens KNDS France’s close ties with the UAE Ministry of Defense, prime contractors, and the Emirati supplier ecosystem. Its long-term goal is to provide localized services in the country and to develop co-development and co-production projects.
RAPIDFire Demonstration in the UAE in 2024
The RAPIDFire, the first remotely operated 40mm turret integrating the CT40 gun and artificial intelligence, provides the platforms it equips with close-range self-defense capabilities against modern air and surface threats.
It features advanced electro-optics designed by Thales and the latest 40mm cased telescoped ammunition technology developed by CTAI, a subsidiary of KNDS France.
This solution offers unmatched firepower, with up to 140 ready-to-fire rounds—allowing nearly 30 interceptions per system without reloading. The turret is designed to counter a wide range of threats, including ships, light aircraft, drones, loitering munitions, and missiles, up to a range of 4 km. Its 40mm gun is compatible with all cased telescoped ammunition, including the A3B ‘airburst’ round, which is particularly effective in anti-aircraft warfare and whose development has recently been finalized by the French defense procurement agency (DGA).
In January 2024, the UAE witnessed a successful demonstration of the RAPIDFire during the deployment of a newly equipped French Navy vessel. The live-fire tests on floating targets were a resounding success, confirming strong interest in this solution.
KNDS Operational Superiority Equipements, Adapted to High Intensity
The 40mm telescoped ammunition technology has also been adapted to the VBCI. A new version equipped with a T40 turret is now available to counter emerging threats such as drones. It features a remotely operated 40mm turret similar to that of the Jaguar, along with an AKERON MP anti-tank missile pod. The VBCI T40 thus covers a wide range of threats, from drones and aircraft to light vehicles and heavily protected targets.
The T25 version of the VBCI is showcased at the KNDS stand. It has been battle-proven in all major operational theaters of the French Army since 2010. This version is equipped with a T25 turret armed with a 25mm M811 autocannon, a coaxial 12.7mm machine gun, and GALIX close protection systems. The VBCI combines firepower and mobility, enabling it to engage a variety of threats, from infantry to light armored vehicles.
The CAESAR 6x6 Mk1 howitzer will also be showcased. Renowned for its robustness, reliability, and ease of maintenance, it has demonstrated its effectiveness in both counter-insurgency operations and high-intensity conflicts. The CAESAR can deploy, fire six rounds per minute, and relocate swiftly. Currently in service with 12 armed forces, it is the NATO’s reference artillery system.
For the first time at IDEX, KNDS France will also present its complete range of loitering ammunition, already in use on the Ukrainian battlefield, as well as its counter-drone and low-altitude air defense solutions.
KNDS 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 10 000 employees, with a 2023 turnover of 3.3 billion euro, an order backlog of around 16 billion euro and incoming orders of 7.8 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.
