KNDS expands Görlitz plant to boost production of Boxer and Leopard armored vehicles

The joint‑venture defence company KNDS Deutschland is advancing the conversion of the former Alstom rail factory in Görlitz into a full‑scale armoured‑vehicle production site. On 30 June the firm announced the completion of the 40th GTK Boxer hull and that the plant now manufactures hulls and turret structures for Boxer, Leopard 2 and Puma infantry fighting vehicles, with additional components for protected trucks.

Around €100 million has been spent on re‑tooling the 7‑hectare site, and the company plans to raise the workforce from roughly 300 to 400 employees by the end of the year, aiming for full production capacity by 2029. KNDS expects to invest up to €1 billion in Germany overall and is assessing further site expansions. The progress was highlighted during a visit by Saxony Premier Michael Kretschmer, who received a demonstration of the new Boxer hull from KNDS CEO Florian Hohenwarter.