KNDS and Leonardo to Jointly Develop Mobile Artillery

Depiction of 155 mm/L52 main gun Artillery Gun Module (AGM) on truck (wheeled AGM) | Image: KNDS

KNDS Deutschland and Italian defence company Leonardo have agreed to jointly develop a new mobile artillery system, following the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Amsterdam on 16 December 2025. The agreement was signed at KNDS headquarters by Florian Hohenwarter, incoming CEO of KNDS Deutschland, and Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo.

According to the companies, the new system will combine KNDS’s Artillery Gun Module with an enhanced version of Leonardo’s protected wheeled vehicle platform. The project is intended to support future procurement needs of the Italian Army, with the joint solution expected to be offered as part of an upcoming acquisition programme.

Both companies said the cooperation will focus on strengthening industrial ties and improving supply chain resilience, while also reducing the time required to bring new systems to market. The collaboration is also aimed at aligning capabilities between European defence industries.

Florian Hohenwarter, COO of KNDS Deutschland and Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo | Photo: Leonardo

“This Letter of Intent is an important step toward improving the interoperability of European land forces and the cooperation of European industry,” said Florian Hohenwarter, incoming CEO of KNDS Deutschland.

Leonardo said the project would draw on its electronics, command-and-control, and counter-uncrewed aerial system technologies, alongside its wheeled vehicle platform, while KNDS would contribute its artillery expertise.

“This collaborative effort once again confirms our commitment to developing integrated capabilities able to meet evolving market requirements in the new operational scenarios,” said Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo.

The agreement reflects broader efforts among European defence manufacturers to work together on land systems and reduce fragmentation across national programmes. No timeline for development or testing of the new artillery system was disclosed. The companies also did not specify whether production would be limited to Italy or extended to other European customers.