Defense giant KNDS announces creation of Ukraine subsidiary

The French-German defense giant KNDS (KMW+Nexter Defense Systems) has announced the creation of a Ukrainian subsidiary.

BFM reported on this.

Franco-German battle tank maker KNDS announced on Friday, June 7, the creation of a Ukrainian subsidiary in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.

The French company KNDS and the Ukrainian company ENMEK signed two letters of intent, one of which concerns the creation of a maintenance center for CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and the other – 3D printing of spare parts.

A contract was also formalized to deploy licensed production of 155-mm shells in Ukraine.

In March, KNDS announced plans to set up a subsidiary.

This decision was agreed during talks between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu.

The French Minister noted that the KNDS plant would produce ammunition and spare parts for the maintenance of German and French armored vehicles and weapons’ systems already in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The creation of the KNDS enterprise in Ukraine is intended to ensure prompt repair of military equipment already delivered by France and Germany.

This includes spare parts for the French Caesar wheeled self-propelled howitzers and AMX10RC armored fighting vehicles. As well as German Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers and Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

The idea is to first prioritize the production in Ukraine of parts that break down frequently, and thus “simplify logistical issues” during the repair and maintenance of the relevant equipment and speed up its return to the battlefield.

It was also reported at the end of March that the Ukrainian staff of the future factory of the Franco-German association KNDS (KMW and NEXTER Defense Systems) would go to France for training this year.