Renk and KNDS Extend Leopard 2 Transmission Order Worth Around €130 Million
RENK Group AG and KNDS Deutschland have agreed to expand an order for HSWL 354 transmissions for the LEOPARD 2 tank family, worth around €130 million, the company said in a press release dated October 14, 2026. Army Technology reported the deal on October 15 and put the value at $145 million.
The order also covers the TCS-354A control unit and the G4MA11 gear selector. Deliveries are due between 2029 and 2032.
Renk and KNDS Deutschland Expand the HSWL 354 Order
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | KNDS Deutschland |
| Supplier | RENK Group AG |
| Value | Around €130 million (about $145 million, Army Technology’s conversion) |
| Scope | HSWL 354 transmissions, TCS-354A control unit, G4MA11 gear selector |
| Platform | LEOPARD 2 main battle tank and LEOPARD 2 family vehicles |
| Deliveries | 2029 to 2032 |
| Status | Agreed; Renk describes it as an expansion of an existing order |
| Announced | October 14, 2026 (Renk press release); reported October 15, 2026 |
“The LEOPARD 2 is the backbone of Western armed forces,” said Dr. Alexander Sagel, Renk’s chief executive. He said the extension reflects KNDS’s trust in Renk’s technology and ability to deliver.
Dr. Axel Scheibel, chief technology officer of KNDS Deutschland, called the expansion “an important milestone for the growth of the LEOPARD 2 fleet.” He described Renk as a strategic partner supporting KNDS’s production ramp-up.
HSWL 354, TCS-354A and G4MA11 in the Order
Three products are named. The HSWL 354 is the main transmission. The TCS-354A is a control unit, and the G4MA11 is a gear selector. Renk does not give quantities, so the €130 million cannot be turned into a per-unit price.
The deal is an extension of an existing order, not a new programme. Renk’s release says the two companies “agreed to expand” the order, and Army Technology describes a signed contract extension. Neither source gives the original order size.
What the HSWL 354 Does in the Leopard 2
According to Renk, the hydromechanical transmission, reversing and steering systems have been at the heart of the LEOPARD 2’s mobility for more than four decades. Army Technology adds that the transmission handles engine power up to 1,300 kW, suits vehicles of 50 to 70 tonnes and has four speed ranges in forward and reverse. Those specifications are from Army Technology and were not in Renk’s release.
KNDS says around 3,300 LEOPARD 2 tanks and family vehicles are in service with the armed forces of 23 countries. In June 2026 Renk started production of its 4,000th HSWL 354 at Augsburg, and the company says it is working under a development contract on the next evolution of the system for future LEOPARD 2 power packs.
Renk’s Recent Leopard 2 and KNDS News Compared
| Announcement | Date | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| KNDS raises stake in Renk | February 11, 2025 | KNDS exercised its option to go from 6.7% to 25.1%; completion subject to regulatory approvals |
| Bundeswehr transmission contracts | December 2025 | More than €45 million for HSWL 256, HSWL 354 and AGB300 transmissions (Army Technology) |
| 4,000th HSWL 354 | June 8, 2026 | Production of the 4,000th unit started at the Augsburg site |
| Order extension | October 14, 2026 | About €130 million for HSWL 354, TCS-354A and G4MA11; deliveries 2029 to 2032 |
Read together, the dates show a supplier and customer tying themselves closer. KNDS announced in February 2025 that it would lift its Renk stake to 25.1%, subject to approvals, while Renk said it would stay an independent supplier. That link is context, and neither company says it is connected to this order.
Renk Group Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Augsburg, Germany |
| Founded | 1873 (Johann Julius Renk) |
| Employees | Around 4,400 (company website, 2026) |
| Revenue | €1.37 billion (2025); order backlog €6.68 billion at December 31, 2025 |
| CEO | Dr. Alexander Sagel |
| Segments | Vehicle Mobility Solutions, Marine & Industry, Slide Bearings |
| Listing | Frankfurt Stock Exchange since February 7, 2024; MDAX member since March 24, 2025 |
| Known programmes | HSWL 354 for LEOPARD 2, transmissions for the Puma, KF41 Lynx framework agreement |
Deliveries From 2029 and the KNDS Production Ramp-Up
The delivery window starts in 2029, so the order covers production years well beyond today’s output. That is analysis. It suggests KNDS is securing drivetrain supply early for a ramp-up that Scheibel mentioned but did not quantify.
Renk reported record order intake of about €1.57 billion for 2025 and an order backlog of €6.68 billion at the end of that year. The company has not said how much of this new order is already counted in its backlog.
Renk KNDS Leopard 2 Order FAQ
Who ordered the transmissions?
KNDS Deutschland, the German tank maker behind the LEOPARD 2. RENK Group AG is the supplier.
How much is the order worth?
Around €130 million, according to Renk. Army Technology converted that to about $145 million.
When will the transmissions be delivered?
Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2029 and finish in 2032.
What exactly is included?
HSWL 354 transmissions, plus the TCS-354A control unit and the G4MA11 gear selector.
How many transmissions are covered?
The press release does not say. Renk gives the value and delivery window but no unit count.
- RENK Group AG – "NATO defense capabilities: RENK Group and KNDS sign contract extension for the LEOPARD 2" (press release, October 14, 2026): renk.com
- Army Technology – "Renk receives $145m Leopard 2 transmission order extension" (October 15, 2026): army-technology.com
- RENK Group AG – "Proven for decades: RENK starts production of the 4,000th HSWL 354 for the Leopard 2" (press release, June 8, 2026)
- RENK Group AG – KNDS option to raise its shareholding to 25.1% (press release, February 11, 2025); fiscal year 2025 results (March 5, 2026); company overview
- Wikipedia – Renk (founding year); Wikimedia Commons (featured image)
- Army Technology – December 2025 Bundeswehr transmission contracts (as cited in the October 15, 2026 article)
