KNDS France closes acquisition of Texelis Defense

KNDS France has completed the previously announced acquisition of Texelis Defense, which will now operate as KNDS Mobility.

The acquisition adds a specialist in land mobility for military vehicles into the KNDS Group, thereby increasing its manufacturing capacity and technological scope within the European land defence sector.

Furthermore, the deal aligns with KNDS’s objective to expand its industrial base and secure essential supply channels, a step which company executives describe as vital for supporting scaled-up production and maintaining control over key technological assets.

As part of this strategy, KNDS aims to reduce dependencies and strengthen its role in supporting customer sovereignty and the wider European defence industry.

KNDS Mobility adds experience in land mobility, drivetrains, and mobility solutions to KNDS, including both wheeled vehicles (ranging from 4×4 to 8×8) and tracked vehicles.

With these capabilities, KNDS’s capabilities now extend across mobility, protection, observation, attack, and mission systems, covering the lifecycle of its land defence products.

According to KNDS, integrating the newly acquired division enables the group to address an expanded set of technical challenges, including energy optimisation, platform autonomy, and advanced mobility.

The group states that this will enhance its offering to existing and future customers, streamlining development, and reinforcing control across its product segments.

KNDS plans to retain KNDS Mobility’s operational teams and honour current contracts and projects. Partnerships established under existing programmes, such as Serval, will persist, with KNDS Mobility continuing to provide mobility solutions and KNDS France overseeing vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and supplementary equipment supply.

KNDS France CEO Nicolas Groult said: “The acquisition of Texelis Defense is a pivotal step for the group. It consolidates our leading industrial and technological capabilities, strengthens our autonomy over critical systems, and enhances our ability to meet the growing needs of our customers. I am particularly pleased to welcome the teams from KNDS Mobility to KNDS, as their expertise and commitment will be valuable assets for the group.”

KNDS group notified the French competition regulatorof its plan to acquire exclusive control of Texelis Defense in November last year. It was later cleared unconditionally.

KNDS Mobility, with locations in Limoges and Roanne, increases KNDS’s industrial footprint within France’s defence sector.

As part of KNDS, KNDS Mobility will have access to increased resources and investment capacity, supporting its operations for both government and industrial customers in France and internationally.

Texelis Defense CEO Jean Vandel said: “This merger will give us the means to accelerate our growth both in France and internationally and to contribute even more effectively to KNDS’s rise as a European leader in land defence systems.”