KNDS and RITEK have opened new infrastructure for the LEOPARD production line in Norway – handover of the first LEOPARD 2 A8 NO

Munich / Levanger, April 29/30, 2026 – KNDS and RITEK, a Norwegian specialist in the service and maintenance of vehicle systems, have opened a new production facility for the LEOPARD 2 NO in Levanger, Norway. Production is scheduled to begin in autumn 2026.

“Together with our partner RITEK, we have built a production line without delay, from which the LEOPARD 2 A8 NO systems will be supplied to the Norwegian Army. This not only fulfills our contract with a key customer, but the Levanger site is also of great importance to us with regard to scaling our production capacities,” says Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland.

A state-of-the-art, integrated production and testing infrastructure was created in Levanger, Norway, in just 18 months. The facility includes specialized test tracks such as a laser track, steep slopes, and a diving pool, and has a capacity of up to 36 tanks per year. Sustainability plays a central role: Energy is supplied by geothermal sources, thus guaranteeing sustainable operation.

A total of 37 of the 54 LEOPARD 2 A8 NO main battle tanks for the Norwegian Army are manufactured here, significantly increasing both national and European defense capabilities.

Almost simultaneously, on April 30, 2026, the first two Leopard 2 A8 NO aircraft were delivered to the Norwegian Army. A total of 17 of the 54 systems are being manufactured by KNDS. All remaining Leopard 2 A8 NO aircraft will be produced on the newly opened production line in Levanger.

photo courtesy KNDS