KNDS Deutschland has marked a production milestone at its Görlitz facility with the unveiling of the 40th interior cabin for the German Armed Forces’ Protected Transport Vehicle (GTF 3).
The cabin was presented during a visit by Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer, Görlitz Mayor Octavian Ursu, and guests from federal and local government, reflecting the transformation of the former Alstom rail factory into a defence manufacturing site.
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The interiors for the GTF 3, which are assembled and equipped in Görlitz, are among the first products from the site since KNDS acquired it just over a year ago.
After manufacturing in Görlitz, the cabins are transported to the company’s Munich location for painting.
The transition began when KNDS signed a framework agreement to acquire the Görlitz site from Alstom in February 2025. At that time, the company planned to offer positions to between 350 and 400 of the approximately 700 former Alstom employees.
KNDS also stated it would consider positions for up to 75 additional staff at other KNDS sites, while up to 100 workers would be offered roles at other Alstom locations. About 580 staff from the original workforce will also find continued employment.
The company expects to complete the full transformation of the Görlitz site in 2027, with ongoing personnel takeovers and production starting this year. It aims to expand production at the site to include assemblies for the Leopard 2, Puma, and Boxer vehicle programmes as operations scale up.
KNDS Deutschland CEO Florian Hohenwarter said: “We have already converted more than half of the plant’s 70,000m² production area and will employ 400 people by the end of the year.”
In addition to the GTF 3 project, Hohenwarter noted that production has begun on hulls and turret housings for the Leopard 2 main battle tank and modules for Boxer armoured vehicle variants.
Preparations are underway to begin manufacturing turret housings for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle and hulls for the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle.
