The next step has now been taken in the Franco-German armaments project Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). On the basis of the approval by the German Federal Cartel Office, KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Thales legally incorporated the ‘MGCS Project Company GmbH’ on 10 April 2025 in Cologne.
Dipl. Ing. Dipl. Wirt. Ing. and Colonel (G.S. German Army Reserve) Stefan Gramolla was appointed Managing Director.
The founding of the company marks a further significant step in the MGCS project. After the upcoming negotiation of a contract with the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), which is acting on behalf of the two nations through a Franco-German Combined Project Team (CPT), this project company will be responsible for implementing the next phase of the MGCS programme as the industrial prime contractor. In particular, it will consolidate the concept and the main technological pillars of the system.
Launched at the initiative of the French and German governments, the MGCS project aims to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc main battle tanks with a multi-platform ground combat system by 2040.
KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.
KNDS forms a Group of around 10,000 employees, with a 2024 turnover of 3.8 billion euro, an order backlog of around 23.5 billion euro and incoming orders of 11.2 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment.
The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The strategic alliance between KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. In addition, it offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.
KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.
Rheinmetall AG of Duesseldorf, a listed company, is a leading international defence contractor and a driver of future-oriented technological and industrial innovation in civil markets. With over 31,000 employees and 171 sites worldwide, Rheinmetall generated sales of €9.8 billion in 2024. With its technologies, products and systems, the company creates the indispensable basis for peace, freedom and sustainable development: security. Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH is part of the Rheinmetall Division Vehicle Systems Europe and is one of the leading land system manufacturers.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.
The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.
Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)
