KNDS NV, one of Europe's largest privately held defense companies, is preparing to relaunch its initial public offering (IPO) as early as the second half of September, according to Bloomberg. The Franco-German tankmaker had initially announced plans to go public in late June but postponed the listing amid a downturn and volatility in defense stocks earlier in the summer.
The company is scheduled to hold investor meetings next week to update stakeholders on its progress. While a September IPO remains a possibility, KNDS has indicated that the timeline is tentative and subject to market conditions and investor feedback. An alternative window for the offering remains open in early 2027.
The potential IPO restart follows a recovery in listed European defense companies, which have rebounded from their previous slump. A key factor in KNDS's valuation debate is the pending decision by the German government on a contract for additional Boxer armored fighting vehicles. The vehicles are jointly produced by KNDS and Rheinmetall AG, a major defense contractor.
KNDS stated in an emailed statement to Bloomberg that it is "ready to relaunch the IPO process as soon as market conditions will be favorable."
