KNDS, a leading European manufacturer of military land systems based in Amsterdam, has formally renamed its Group companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG and Nexter Systems S.A. with effect from 8 April 2024.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG now operates as KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Nexter Systems S. A. as KNDS France S. A..

As part of these renamings, the names of the German, French, British, Italian and Belgian subsidiaries of KNDS France and KNDS Deutschland have also been legally adapted. For all other subsidiaries of the Group, the name changes will be implemented by the end of 2024.

The previous brand names had already been replaced by the “KNDS” brand in June 2023. The legal name changes required special coordination with authorities, customers and suppliers. They were therefore implemented in a second step.

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.