KMW+Nexter Defense Systems

KMW+Nexter Defense Systems N.V.
Naamloze vennootschap
Industry Defence
Founded December 15, 2015 (2015-12-15)
Headquarters Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key people
 Margaret Hill (Managing Director)
Number of employees
 >6,000
Subsidiaries Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
Nexter Systems
Website www.knds.com

The KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) is a European defence industry holding company, which is result for merger between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter Systems under KANT project.

KANT project

The KANT project is joint venture completed by the German family-controlled defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and French government-owned armoured platform manufacturer Nexter Systems. The merger was completed 15 December 2015. The joint holding company is based in Leiden, Netherlands. KANT is an acronym of "KMW And Nexter Together."[1] Krauss-Maffei Wegmann manufactures tanks, Nexter makes artillery.[2] On 29 July 2015 the merger between the two companies has been officially finalized in Paris.[3]

History

There was a hearing at the National Assembly (France) for this joint venture and both CEO's explained how this project could boost both tank manufacturers avoiding export restrictions, especially in Germany.[4] Support for a deal has been building in both countries' capitals. In July 2015 French lawmakers pushed through a measure that permits the privatization of state-owned defense companies, paving the way for KMW and Nexter to join forces.[5]

Products

In June of 2018 Germany and France signed a letter of intent for KNDS to develop Main Combat Ground System, a common main battle tank, and Common Indirect Fire System, a common 155mm self propelled artillery gun.[6]

Leopard 2 upgrade

One of KNDS's first projects is upgrading the Leopard 2, with a focus on increasing effectiveness against contemporary threats like the ATGM and the Russian T-14 Armata.[7]

European Main Battle Tank

At Eurosatory military trade fair, June 11-15 2018 in Paris, France, KNDS unveiled the "European Main Battle Tank" (EMBT), a technology demonstration main battle tank that combines the hull of a Leopard 2A7 with the lighter, two-man turret of a Leclerc.[8]

Main Combat Ground System

Main Combat Ground System is a French-German program to develop the next generation main battle tank to replace the aging Leopard 2 and Leclerc with a design common to the two countries. As of 2016 the program was in the concept phase which was projected to be completed by 2017.[9]

A precondition for the new tank is the development of a new main cannon with better performance. German defence company Rheinmetall joined the program and will develop a new cannon with better performance than the Rheinmetall L/55 cannon which was introduced on the Leopard 2A6.[9] Rheinmetall demonstrated a 130mm L51 at Eurosatory 2016.[10]

Deployment of the new tank is scheduled for 2035.

Common Indirect Fire System

Common Indirect Fire System (CIFS) is a French-German program to develop a 155mm self-propelled artillery gun. Introduction of the CIFS is scheduled for 2040.

Notes

  1. ↑ KMW, Nexter Merger Completed. defense-update.com. Retrieved 10 June 2016
  2. ↑ Report: KMW, Nexter to sign merger agreement. upi.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015
  3. ↑ German, French tank makers KMW and Nexter seal armoured vehicles tie-up. economictimes.indiatimes.com, retrieved 27 July 2015
  4. ↑ Commission de la défense nationale et des forces armées. assemblee-nationale.fr. Retrieved 13 June 2015 (French)
  5. ↑ German, French tank makers could merge next week. dw.com, 10 July 2015
  6. ↑ https://defpost.com/kmw-nexter-join-forces-main-ground-combat-system-common-indirect-fire-system/
  7. ↑ German, French tank makers could merge next week. dw.com, 10 July 2015
  8. ↑ Peck, Michael (4 July 2018). "European Main Battle Tank: France and Germany's New Joint Super Weapon?". The National Interest. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  9. 1 2 https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/get-ready-russia-european-power-has-plans-lethal-new-tank-15251
  10. ↑ https://defense-update.com/20160614_rheinmetall-ups-tank-firepower-with-new-130mm-gun.html
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