Grupa Niewiadów S.A., a subsidiary of Niewiadów Polska Grupa Militarna, has entered into a strategic agreement with KNDS France to clarify the details of their cooperation regarding the launch of production in Poland of 155mm long-range artillery ammunition, primarily intended for the Polish Armed Forces. The target production volume of ammunition and propellant charges—using French technology adapted to Polish infrastructure—is expected to reach 180,000 units per year. The agreement also provides for the possibility of rapidly expanding the cooperation to include the production of long-range ammunition for 105mm light artillery and modern 120mm tank ammunition.
The purpose of the signed agreement is to establish the general terms of long-term cooperation between the parties regarding ammunition production in Poland. The cooperation aims to rapidly bring ammunition into production. The primary focus of the cooperation is the LU211P 155-mm long-range artillery ammunition, MCS modular propellant charges, and other components of the system, including CCC self-igniting casings. The agreement also includes the possibility of expanding cooperation to include 105-mm long-range ammunition and the latest family of 120-mm tank ammunition, utilizing elements of the shared production infrastructure of the Niewiadów companies. The recipients of the planned production will be the Polish Ministry of National Defense and KNDS’s customers.
The agreement was signed in Paris at the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition.
– During the construction of the Ammunition Ring, we signed a preliminary agreement with KNDS as early as March, in which they declared their intention to develop 155 mm ammunition production in Poland. Over the past few months, our French partner has been evaluating our production and organizational capabilities, and we have been negotiating the details of our future cooperation. This was not an easy process, given the conditions we set regarding the scope of technology transfer, access to third-party markets, and exclusivity. The result is today’s Strategic Agreement, which expands the production of advanced 155mm ammunition in Poland to include MCS modular projectiles. At the same time, the agreement allows us to incorporate new areas related to modern 120mm tank ammunition. Our intention is for testing on the AHS Krab and K9 Thunder systems to begin within the next few months. “This partnership enables a direct expansion of the Niewiadów Group’s manufacturing capacity and the integrated ecosystem operating as the ‘Niewiadów Ammunition Ring’—that is, the practical implementation of ‘local content,’” says Dr. Przemysław Kowalczuk, President of the Management Board of the Niewiadów Group.
Under the agreement, the Niewiadów Group will provide the necessary infrastructure and resources to launch production lines, as well as make test ranges available to conduct qualification processes for the localized KNDS solutions to be used in the Krab and K9 systems. KNDS France, in turn, will provide licenses and technologies, including those related to the production of missiles and MCS modular warheads at the LAP level. The French partner will also provide technical and personnel support.
The framework agreement for production and supply is scheduled to be signed before the end of 2026.
The parties also declared their intention to expand their cooperation to include the transfer of technology for 120-mm tank ammunition, 105-mm artillery ammunition, and 120-mm mortar ammunition during the next phase of capability implementation.
– The agreement is a natural extension of a consistently implemented strategy aimed at building modern ammunition production capabilities in Poland. It is worth noting that, according to polls, the majority of the public supports domestic arms production. The implementation of French solutions will enable the production of large-caliber projectiles and modular charges based on KNDS technology. This is a key development in the Group’s ongoing infrastructure and research investments. On the operational side, the construction of production facilities in Niewiadów is proceeding as planned. “In the third quarter of this year, we will be ready to assemble the 155 mm ammunition production lines, and by the end of the year, we will be ready to launch production,” adds Adam Januszko, president of Niewiadów PGM.
KNDS France is a French defense company, part of the European KNDS Group and one of the largest arms manufacturers in Europe. The company designs and manufactures, among other things, artillery (e.g., CAESAR howitzers), tanks (e.g., Leclerc), and armored vehicles, as well as ammunition. KNDS France also operates as a combat systems integrator.
