KNDS Selects Lazard to Ready IPO for Franco-German Tankmaker

A Leopard tank at the KNDS stand during a defense exhibition in Brno, Czech Republic.

Photographer: Milan Jaros/Bloomberg

KNDS NV has selected an adviser for a potential initial public offering of the Franco-German tankmaker amid surging demand for defence stocks and an improving market for listings.

The Amsterdam-based company said it has chosen Lazard Inc. to advise on an IPO after a competitive pitching process. The selection “is a normal step in the potential IPO readiness project launched at the request of the group board of directors,” KNDS said in response to a Bloomberg inquiry.