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PoliticsGerman Defence Minister Pistorius visits KNDS in Kassel, focuses on tech innovation and production ramp-up
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German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius visited the KNDS Deutschland site in Kassel as part of his troop and industry tour. The visit focused on technological product innovations, discussions with employees, and the company's industrial production ramp-up. KNDS CEO Florian Hohenwarter emphasized that the war in Ukraine has initiated a turning point requiring new pace and cooperation. KNDS is investing in technological innovations, expanding production capacities, and collaborating with technology partners to meet increased military needs. The Kassel site, alongside Munich, is a key location for KNDS Deutschland, playing a central role in developing and producing core programs including the LEOPARD 2 tank, BOXER wheeled vehicle, and PUMA infantry fighting vehicle. The company aims to strengthen European and transatlantic alliance defense while contributing to the Bundeswehr's operational readiness.
Source report
Kassel, Germany — The war in Ukraine and the growing recognition that German and European security can no longer be taken for granted have triggered a fundamental shift, demanding a new pace and depth of cooperation, according to Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland.
"Together with our customers, we are doing everything to keep our systems technologically up to date and to pursue resilient ways to best meet the increased military needs with efficient, digitized manufacturing processes," Hohenwarter stated.
Strategic Investments Across All Dimensions
KNDS in Kassel is consistently investing in technological innovations across all areas. The tank manufacturer is also focusing on:
- Collaborations with selected technology and industrial partners
- Expansion of production capacities
"Our goal is to reliably meet the growing demand for technologically superior, robust, and operationally ready land systems," Hohenwarter said. "In doing so, KNDS makes an indispensable contribution to the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr and its alliance partners."
Kassel: A Key Location for KNDS in Germany
KNDS is a German-French defense company and manufacturer of military land systems in Europe. Alongside Munich, Kassel is one of the two largest locations of KNDS Deutschland and plays a key role in the development and production of the company's core programs.
With a focus on technology and production ramp-up, KNDS is simultaneously strengthening the industrial location of North Hesse. The Kassel site is developing into a central employer and innovation driver for the region. In addition to expanding production, KNDS is continuously investing in research and development. Kassel plays a decisive role in the technological advancement of current and future land systems and makes a significant contribution to transferring innovations more quickly into industrial manufacturing.
Supporting Allied Defense Capabilities
As a partner of the Bundeswehr and numerous allied armed forces, KNDS makes a substantial contribution to implementing the security and defense policy turning point and to strengthening European and transatlantic alliance defense.
To meet the significantly increased demand for modern, technologically advanced land systems, the company is consistently expanding its production capacities at all German locations. This particularly concerns the core programs:
- LEOPARD 2
- BOXER (protected 8×8 wheeled vehicle)
- PUMA (infantry fighting vehicle)
Source
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikWestern
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German Defence Minister Pistorius Visits KNDS in Kassel to Discuss Technological Innovations and Production Ramp-Up