Smetanin stated that the new company will focus on servicing and repairing German-made military equipment supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2022.
“Ukrainian specialists have already completed training in Germany, and the first [industrial] systems have been installed at the facilities,” the minister said.
He added that the new venture means that military equipment would be repaired more swiftly. Additionally, the enterprise will support the economy through investments and job creation.
KNDS first made plans to start operating in Ukraine back in June 2024, initially focusing on ammunition production.
KNDS is one of Europe's largest dedfense conglomerates, founded by the German company KMW and French company Nexter. Its portfolio includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, ammunition, and bridge-laying equipment. Its flagship products are the Leopard tanks and Caesar self-propelled artillery systems.