-
KNDS Appoints Dr. Arno Schmitz-Urban as Executive Vice President Strategy
KNDS, the leading pan-European land defense systems company, today announced the appointment of Arno Schmitz-Urban as Executive Vice President (EVP) Strategy. In this role, he will be responsible for shaping and executing the Group’s strategic agenda, supporting long-term growth, and strengthening KNDS’s position in a rapidly evolving defense and security environment. Arno Schmitz-Urban brings more than 15 years of experience in corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and portfolio development across defense, industrial and technology-driven sectors. Since 2024 he has served as Director, Group Strategy Development and M&A at Vaillant Group in Germany. Prior to that, he held several senior leadership roles at Rheinmetall Group, including Vice President, Corporate Development.…
-
KNDS ernennt Dr. Arno Schmitz-Urban zum Executive Vice President Strategy
KNDS, das führende paneuropäische Unternehmen für Landverteidigungssysteme, gab heute die Ernennung von Dr. Arno Schmitz-Urban zum Executive Vice President (EVP) Strategy bekannt. In dieser Funktion wird er die strategische Agenda des Konzerns gestalten und umsetzen, langfristiges Wachstum fördern und die Position von KNDS im dynamischen Verteidigungs- und Sicherheitsumfeld stärken. Dr. Arno Schmitz-Urban verfügt über mehr als 15 Jahre Erfahrung in den Bereichen Unternehmensstrategie, Merger & Aquisition (M&A) sowie Portfolioentwicklung in den Bereichen Verteidigung und Industrie und technologieorientierte Branchen. Seit 2024 ist er als Direktor für Konzernstrategieentwicklung und M&A bei der Vaillant Group in Deutschland tätig. Zuvor hatte er verschiedene Führungspositionen bei der Rheinmetall-Gruppe inne, unter anderem als Vice President für…
-
KNDS nomme le Dr Arno Schmitz-Urban au poste de Vice-Président Exécutif en charge de la Stratégie
KNDS, le leader pan Européen des systèmes de défense terrestre, annonce aujourd’hui la nomination d’Arno Schmitz-Urban en tant que Vice-Président Exécutif (EVP) en charge de la Stratégie. Dans ce rôle, il sera chargé de définir et de mettre en oeuvre l’agenda stratégique du Groupe, de soutenir la croissance à long terme et de renforcer la position de KNDS dans un environnement de défense et de sécurité en constante évolution. Arno Schmitz-Urban apporte plus de 15 ans d’expérience en stratégie d’entreprise, fusions-acquisitions (M&A) et développement de portefeuille dans les secteurs de la défense, de l’industrie et des technologies. Depuis 2024, il occupait le poste de Director, Group Strategy Development and M&A…
-
Shaping the future of land defense systems: KNDS presents advanced mission solution systems
KNDS, the leading pan-European land defense systems company, is accelerating efforts in providing complete mission solutions for customer nations by combining its world-class know-how in tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems and ammunition with advanced digital and networked capabilities designed for the battlefield of the future. “KNDS is a highly technology-driven company with eight specialized research hubs and more than 20 percent of our workforce dedicated to Research & Development. Based on our undisputed customer intimacy and our continuous focus on innovation, we design end-to-end mission solutions, combining manned and unmanned capabilities, including mission planning, training, simulation, and full lifecycle support. We ultimately shape the future of land defense in Europe…
-
KNDS intends to list in 2026 to support its long-term growth strategy
KNDS Board decides to continue preparations for initial public offering (“IPO”) in 2026, subject to market conditions Dual listing in Frankfurt and Paris IPO will strengthen KNDS’s ability to invest in growth, innovation and industrial capacity Christian Schulz, former CFO of RENK Group, has been appointed to KNDS’s Board of Directors, bringing deep IPO and defence-industry expertise to support its next growth phase KNDS, the leading pan-European land defence company, today announces that its Board of Directors has decided to continue preparations for an initial public offering ("IPO") in both Paris and Frankfurt in 2026, subject to market conditions. The IPO will support KNDS’s long-term growth strategy, broadening its access…
-
KNDS and Leonardo Agree on Joint Product Development
KNDS Deutschland (KNDS) and the Italian defense company Leonardo will together develop a mobile artillery system. A corresponding Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed in Amsterdam, the headquarters of KNDS, by Florian Hohenwarter, incoming CEO of KNDS Deutschland, and Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo. This newly-developed artillery system will be based on the KNDS Artillery Gun Module and an enhanced version of Leonardo’s protected wheeled vehicle platform. Both companies intend to intensify industrial cooperation to improve supply chain resilience and time to market. The companies will offer their joint solution for the upcoming procurement program of the Italian Army. The combination of Leonardo’s state-of-the-art electronics, C5I, UAV…
-
KNDS appoints Nicolas Groult as CEO of KNDS France effective 5 January 2026
KNDS today announced the appointment of Nicolas Groult as Chief Executive Officer of KNDS France, effective 5 January 2026. In this role, he will lead all French operations, oversee major programs, industrial sites and the company’s development roadmap in line with the Group’s strategy. Nicolas Groult brings 25 years of senior management experience in technology-intensive companies across the automotive, railway, and aerospace & defense sectors. He served as CEO of Pandrol since 2023, a global leader in railway infrastructure systems. Prior to that, he spent a decade in various senior leadership positions at Parker Meggitt, most recently heading the Power & Sensing division, where he oversaw critical aerospace and defense…
-
KNDS nomme Nicolas Groult au poste de CEO de KNDS France à compter du 5 janvier 2026
KNDS a annoncé aujourd’hui la nomination de Nicolas Groult en tant que Chief Executive Officer de KNDS France, à compter du 5 janvier 2026. À ce poste, il dirigera l’ensemble des opérations françaises, supervisera les grands programmes, les sites industriels ainsi que la feuille de route de développement de l’entreprise, en cohérence avec la stratégie du Groupe. Nicolas Groult apporte 25 années d’expérience de cadre dirigeant au sein d’entreprises à forte intensité technologique dans les secteurs automobile, ferroviaire, aéronautique et défense. Il était depuis 2023 CEO de Pandrol, leader mondial des systèmes d’infrastructure ferroviaire. Auparavant, il a passé dix ans chez Parker Meggitt, où il a occupé plusieurs postes de…
-
Florian Hohenwarter wird mit Wirkung zum 1. Januar 2026 zum CEO von KNDS Deutschland ernannt
KNDS Deutschland hat heute bekanntgegeben, dass Ralf Ketzel, seit 2020 CEO, am 1. Januar 2026, nach 35 Jahren im Unternehmen, in den Ruhestand treten wird. Sein Nachfolger wird Florian Hohenwarter, derzeit Chief Operating Officer von KNDS und seit April 2023 Mitglied der Geschäftsführung. Ralf Ketzel begann seine Karriere 1990 bei Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (damals KraussMaffei). In den vergangenen drei Jahrzehnten verantwortete er wichtige Führungspositionen, trieb Innovationen im Bereich der Landsysteme voran, förderte die internationale Zusammenarbeit und baute den Beitrag von KNDS Deutschland für die europäischen und ukrainischen Verteidigungsfähigkeiten aus. Ralf Ketzel ist maßgeblich am Erfolg des LEOPARD 2 beteiligt, einem der modernsten Kampfpanzer der Welt. Mit über 3.300 Systemen in 23…
-
Florian Hohenwarter appointed CEO of KNDS Deutschland effective 1st January 2026
KNDS Deutschland today announced that Ralf Ketzel, CEO since 2020, will retire on 1st January 2026 after 35 years of dedicated service to the company. He will be succeeded by Florian Hohenwarter, currently KNDS Chief Operating Officer and member of the Management Board since April 2023. Ralf Ketzel began his career at Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (then KraussMaffei). Over the past three decades, he has held key leadership positions, driving innovation in land defense systems, fostering international collaboration, and strengthening KNDS Deutschland’s contribution to European and Ukrainian defense capabilities. Ralf Ketzel has been instrumental in driving the continued success of the LEOPARD 2, one of the world’s most advanced main battle tanks.…
