Amsterdam-based KNDS, a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, is no longer in talks with Leonardo regarding a potential partnership with the Italian company.
The partnership was based around joint development and production of the Leopard 2A8 main battle tank (MBT), but the two companies failed to agree on a configuration.
The negotiations, announced in December last year, was aimed at potentially forming a partnership between Leonardo’s defence division and KNDS. The companies were striving for joint development and production of the KNDS battle tank Leopard 2 A8 for a procurement programme of the Italian Ministry of Defence and partnering in the Italian procurement programme for an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).
“With 18 European user countries, Leopard 2 is the battle tank standard of our continent and of NATO,” said Frank Haun, CEO of KNDS. “It is more important than ever to safeguard this standard, which makes a significant contribution to the interoperability and joint combat power of the European and NATO armies. The parties did not manage to agree on configuration and consequently, talks about Leonardo’s strategic participation in KNDS have also fallen short. Yet KNDS continues to be committed to support the Italian Army.”
The talks between the two companies had commenced after the European manufacturers signed an agreement to develop “more intensive cooperation” with the common goal of establishing “a truly European defence group.”
Italy intends to acquire 132 Leopard 2A8IT combat capable tanks and up to an additional 140 support vehicles as part of a two phase program that will run until 2037. The total cost of the program is estimated to be about €8.2 billion ($8.8 billion). The first phase, from this year until 2026, will cover development and pre-series production of the new vehicles.
Honeywell has agreed to acquire CAES Systems Holdings from private equity firm Advent International for approximately $1.9 billion in an…
The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin conducted a planned flight test of the unarmed, developmental Mk21A reentry vehicle in…
Lockheed Martin recently delivered the 2,700th Hercules multi-mission tactical airlifter, increasing the size, reach and strength of the worldwide C-130…
Avolon has raised US$750 million in a new unsecured credit facility with a syndicate of seven banks predominantly in the…
Penny Burtt has been appointed as the new President of Boeing's Southeast Asia business, effective July 3. Based in Singapore,…
Preliminary financial performance figures released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) revealed a strong rebound in the…
The Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, and the Director of the IMOD…
Global Survival Technology solutions provider Survitec has secured a multi-year servicing contract from Sojitz Aerospace, on behalf of the Japanese…
Leonardo ranks as the second largest European participant in the 2023 European Defence Fund (EDF) work programme. The European Commission…
EHang Holdings EH216-S pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has completed its first autonomous air taxi flight in…
Bangkok Airways has unveiled its Low Carbon Skies initiative, a significant step towards sustainability through the reduction of carbon emissions…
Vietnam Airlines has integrated the Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) from Amadeus, marking a significant step in its ongoing digital…
NH Industries (NHI) and the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) have inked a contract to initiate the development and qualification…
PT Palindo Marine, a private shipyard in Indonesia, began construction on a new model of the "Kapal Cepat Rudal 60"…
ASELSAN displayed a wide array of products and solutions at Eurosatory 2024, which ended June 21. The highlight of the…
EDGE Group has launched the Radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) Centre of Excellence, and the Electro Optic Centre of Excellence…
Gulfstream's clean-sheet Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 have each surpassed 100,000 flight hours. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines,…
Emirates has started utilising sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for its flights departing from Singapore Changi Airport. This marks the airline's…
Eve Air Mobility on Wednesday released a second video of its first full-scale eVTOL non-conforming prototype as it continues production…
Rheinmetall AG, the Düsseldorf-based technology group, and Ukraine have taken a significant step towards strengthening their strategic alliance. The Minister…
AeroTransCargo (ATC), a global cargo airline, has announced the appointment of Charles Szar as its new President. Szar brings a…
Americas GSA, a subsidiary of ECS Group, announced a strategic partnership with JetBlue Cargo. This partnership marks a significant development…
Estonian robotics and autonomous systems developer, Milrem Robotics, and AEC Skyline, a supplier of advanced critical data solutions, have collaborated…
AL TAIF, an entity of the EDGE Group and a provider of military maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in…
Singapore and Ukraine have entered into an Air Services Agreement (ASA) to support air connectivity between both countries. The agreement…
The HIS consortium comprising of of Helsing GmbH and Schönhofer Sales and Engineering GmbH (SSE), a 100% subsidiary of Rohde…
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore (TSIB) has issued its Preliminary Investigation findings of the SQ321 incident, which took…
Israel based Roboteam, a leading developer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned platforms for defence and security missions, has announced today an…
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) recently completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) of BAE System’s Eagle Passive Active Warning…
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and PT Intercrus Aero Indonesia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bandung on Wednesday…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.