RENK Group AG, a leading provider of propulsion solutions for the military sector, and KNDS Deutschland have agreed to expand an order for the delivery of HSWL 354 transmissions. The new order is worth around €130 million and, in addition to the transmissions, also covers the TCS-354A control unit and the G4MA11 gear selector. The transmissions are intended for the LEOPARD 2 main battle tank and vehicles in the LEOPARD 2 family. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2029 and be concluded in 2032.
“The LEOPARD 2 is the backbone of Western armed forces. For decades, our HSWL 354 has ensured that troops can rely on the mobility of their vehicle under all conditions. The extension of the order reflects the trust that KNDS has in our technology and ability to deliver. Together, we are making our contribution to help the Bundeswehr and NATO forces acquire the capabilities they need to defend Europe,” said Dr. Alexander Sagel, Chief Executive Officer of RENK Group AG.
“The expansion of this contract is an important milestone for the growth of the LEOPARD 2 fleet, which clearly strengthens the defense capabilities of Germany and other NATO countries. The RENK Group is a strategic partner of KNDS, supporting us—not least as part of our production ramp-up—to provide customers with the best possible equipment in a timely manner,” said Dr. Axel Scheibel, Chief Technology Officer of KNDS Deutschland.
As recently as June 2026, RENK had started production of the 4,000th HSWL 354, thus reaching another milestone in its decades-long collaboration with KNDS. For more than four decades, the hydromechanical transmission, reversing, and steering systems have been at the heart of the LEOPARD 2’s mobility and are proven worldwide in service in NATO and partner states. According to KNDS, around 3,300 LEOPARD 2 main battle tanks and family vehicles are currently being deployed by the armed forces of 23 countries.