KNDS CEO Says Franco-German Tankmaker Is Preparing for IPO

A KNDS battle tank at the Eurosatory Defense and Security expo in Paris.

Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg

KNDS NV Chief Executive Officer Jean-Paul Alary said he’s preparing the Franco-German tankmaker for an initial public offering to bolster the shareholder base and enable investments and acquisitions.

A listing in 2026 is “realistic” and the board has asked management to be “prepared to IPO” once the final decision is made, Alary, who joined in April from French aircraft engine maker Safran SA, said at a news conference in Amsterdam on Monday. A decision could be made in the coming months, he added.