KNDS to begin Patria tank deliveries for Bundeswehr

KNDS Deutschland Maintenance is preparing to deliver the first Patria transport tanks to the Bundeswehr by the end of this year. While the initial units will be produced in Finland and then sent to Freisen, Germany, for final assembly and specialized equipment installation, the company is simultaneously establishing full-scale series production at its Saarland facility.

The first vehicles manufactured entirely in Freisen are expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. The contract involves an initial order of nearly 900 tanks valued at approximately two billion euros, consisting of 350 firm orders and an additional 550 expected to follow. Long-term projections suggest a total volume of 2,500 to 3,000 vehicles could be required by 2040.

Christoph Cords, Managing Director of KNDS Deutschland Maintenance GmbH, stated that this transition marks a significant shift for the company, moving from a system maintenance and repair specialist to a production site for armored wheeled vehicles.