Texelis Defense becomes KNDS Mobility and joins Europe's land defense leader
Versailles, April 2, 2026 - KNDS France announces the completion of the acquisition of Texelis Defense, which becomes KNDS Mobility, a recognized specialist in land mobility for military vehicles. This strategic operation strengthens the Group's industrial capabilities, consolidates the European land defense industry and reflects KNDS' determination to offer its customers even more integrated, sovereign and high-performance systems.
An acquisition at the heart of KNDS' growth strategy
The acquisition of Texelis Defense is in line with KNDS' growth strategy: to strengthen its industrial capabilities, master its key technologies and support the production ramp-up that is now essential. By consolidating its critical capabilities, reducing its dependencies and securing its supply chains, KNDS contributes to the sovereignty of its customers and the strengthening of the European defense industry.
Unrivalled expertise for a broader customer offering
KNDS Mobility brings to KNDS unique expertise in land mobility, powertrains and innovative mobility solutions, both for wheeled vehicles (from 4×4 to 8×8) and tracked vehicles. These skills perfectly complement the KNDS portfolio, enabling it to cover all technical perimeters - mobility, protection, observation, aggression, mission systems - throughout the product life cycle. The integration of KNDS Mobility's capabilities will enable the KNDS Group not only to strengthen its positions in its various product segments, but also to prepare for the future in technological areas such as energy optimization, platform autonomization and advanced mobility solutions.
This integration of KNDS Mobility's activities will be of direct benefit to the customers of both companies: KNDS will be able to offer a more comprehensive, coherent and responsive range of solutions, accelerating development cycles and improving end-to-end control of land systems. Existing technological, commercial and industrial cooperations - notably within the Serval program - will be enhanced and strengthened. For example, as part of the Serval program, KNDS Mobility is responsible for supplying the mobility solution, while KNDS France is responsible for manufacturing and assembling the integrated vehicle and supplying the associated additional equipment.
KNDS Mobility's products, services and contractual commitments to all its customers and partners are fully maintained. The new entity's operational teams remain in place, and ongoing projects are proceeding according to plan.
A long-term industrial partnership that benefits teams and local communities
KNDS Mobility joins a solid, sustainable and fast-growing group. This acquisition is based on a long-term industrial vision, with the aim of preserving and developing KNDS Mobility's skills and assets, while offering its teams new prospects for development. With sites in Limoges and Roanne, KNDS Mobility further strengthens KNDS' industrial presence at the heart of the French defense industry.
KNDS Mobility will benefit from the strength, resources and investment capacity of the pan-European leader in land defense solutions, while further developing its agility. This integration will enable KNDS Mobility to increase its resources, for the greater benefit of its current and future customers worldwide - be they state players or industrial partners.
Nicolas Groult, CEO of KNDS France, commented: «The acquisition of Texelis Defense is a structuring step for the Group. It consolidates our first-rate industrial and technological capabilities, reinforces our sovereignty over critical systems, and boosts our ability to meet the growing needs of our customers. I am particularly pleased to welcome the KNDS Mobility teams to KNDS, whose expertise and commitment will be invaluable assets for the Group.»
Jean Vandel, Managing Director of Texelis Defense, commented: «Joining KNDS is a major step in the company's history, as well as an obvious industrial move. We share the same vision of land defense, the same ambition for our teams, and the same desire to move forward. This merger will give us the means to accelerate our development both in France and abroad, and to contribute even more effectively to the rise of KNDS as the European leader in land defense systems».»
About KNDS
KNDS is the leading pan-European land defense group, with over 11,000 employees and sales of 3.8 billion euros in 2024. With a solid order book of 23.5 billion euros in 2024, the group provides comprehensive, innovative mission solutions based on cutting-edge technologies. Drawing on in-depth industrial expertise and solid partnerships, KNDS develops open, interoperable solutions combining manned and unmanned systems, designed to meet tomorrow's operational challenges. As a prime contractor, it offers the full range of «system-of-systems» capabilities, covering the entire value chain from platforms to munitions and services, taking charge of the entire product lifecycle.
Born of the alliance between Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, bringing together key nations within a single group, KNDS embodies the path towards a collective and effective future for the sovereignty and security of European defense, promoting standardization and interoperability between European and NATO forces.
Backed by decades of combat-proven experience and the trust of 24 European armies and 19 worldwide, KNDS embodies a united, high-performance model for long-term stability and security in Europe and beyond.
Press Contacts KNDS France
Guillem MONSONIS
+33 7 63 06 63 57
guillem.monsonis@knds.fr
Fanny MOUNIER
+ 33 7 64 26 37 88
fanny.mounier@knds.fr
Antoine MOLLARD
+33 6 62 79 04 25
antoine.mollard@knds.fr
Press contact KNDS Mobility
Marin TOLLET
+33 6 51 00 04 18
marin.tollet@knds-mobility.com
