Germany confirms it wants to acquire a 40% stake in KNDS NV, the tankmaker, ahead of the company’s planned initial public offering this summer. The government says it aims to buy the stake for several billion euros, according to Bloomberg’s reporting. Other coverage indicates that negotiations are ongoing and the German government is “balking” at the proposed terms and price for the pre-IPO stake. People familiar with the matter say Berlin is seeking to limit the amount it pays for the share it would take before the listing, suggesting that the final pricing and deal structure have not been agreed. The discussions take place as KNDS prepares for the IPO timeframe, and the government’s planned investment is positioned as a key element of the pre-listing arrangement. While the government’s overall intent to hold 40% is consistent across reports, the cited differences relate to the cost and terms being negotiated prior to the deal being finalized.