KNDS & LEONARDO: Together for MGCS & Leo 2A8

Under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Defense, LEONARDO and KNDS have signed an agreement to further develop an intensified collaboration. The goal is to establish a truly European defense group and to work more closely together in the field of land-based electronics.

Such a strategic alliance enables supranational cooperation projects in Europe by strengthening the respective national industrial base and developing the future generation of armored vehicle platforms, such as the "Main Ground Combat System" (MGCS).

This alliance supports the strategy outlined by the Italian Ministry of Defense in the "Documento Programmatico Difesa 2023-2025" as well as in the recently signed action plan for the agreement by the Italian and German governments.

In addition, Leonardo and KNDS have signed an agreement to jointly implement the planned procurement program for combat tanks (KPz) based on the LEOPARD 2 A8 solution. The companies will collaborate on the development, production, and maintenance of the LEOPARD 2 A8 solution for the Italian Army as well as support platforms.

The aim of the alliance between Leonardo and KNDS is to create additional resources for manufacturing and development in Italy and to use them for future European combat tank projects.

The Italian Ministry of Defense is currently working on two major programs to modernize its land forces: one is the procurement of the LEOPARD 2 A8 combat tank with support vehicles, and the other is the "AICS plus" program for new armored personnel carriers and combat support systems.

KNDS online

LEONARDO online