Germany plans to take a 40% stake in KNDS, the Franco-German defence group behind the Leopard and Leclerc tank families, according to multiple outlets citing German government statements. The move is aimed at strengthening European defence industrial capacity and consolidating state involvement in a major armaments manufacturer. With Germany taking a minority-but-significant share, France is expected to remain the other key state stakeholder, positioning the companies’ decision-making within a Franco-German framework. KNDS is described across the reports as one of Europe’s important defence firms, with tank-related production and associated capabilities linked to its Leopard and Leclerc platforms. The reports focus on the planned ownership stake and the rationale of supporting European production in line with broader NATO-related security cooperation. Details on timing, financing terms, or governance changes are not provided in the supplied summaries. Overall, the coverage is consistent that Germany intends to become a 40% shareholder, alongside France, in KNDS.