KNDS and RITEK have open new infrastructure for the LEOPARD production line in Norway plus handover of the first LEOPARD 2 A8 NO.
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Press Release, Munich / Levanger, 04 May 2026: KNDS and RITEK, a Norwegian specialist in the service and maintenance of vehicle systems, have opened a new production facility for the LEOPARD 2 NO in Levanger, Norway. Production is scheduled to begin in autumn 2026.
“Together with our partner RITEK, we have built a production line without delay, from which the LEOPARD 2 A8 NO systems will be supplied to the Norwegian Army. This not only fulfils our contract with a key customer, but the Levanger site is also of great importance to us with regard to scaling our production capacities,” says Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland.
A state-of-the-art, integrated production and testing infrastructure was created in Levanger, Norway, in just 18 months. The facility includes specialised test tracks such as a laser track, steep slopes, and a diving pool, and has a capacity of up to 36 tanks per year. Sustainability plays a central role: Energy is supplied by geothermal sources, thus guaranteeing sustainable operation. A total of 37 of the 54 LEOPARD 2 A8 NO main battle tanks for the Norwegian Army are manufactured here, significantly increasing both national and European defence capabilities.
Almost simultaneously, on April 30, 2026, the first two Leopard 2 A8 NO tanks were delivered to the Norwegian Army. A total of 17 of the 54 systems are being manufactured by KNDS. All remaining Leopard 2 A8 NO tanks will be produced on the newly opened production line in Levanger.
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