KNDS Repurposes Görlitz Plant in 1 Year to Speed Arms Output as Europe Studies Ukraine Model
Updated
Updated · UNITED24 Media · May 22
KNDS Repurposes Görlitz Plant in 1 Year to Speed Arms Output as Europe Studies Ukraine Model
1 articles · Updated · UNITED24 Media · May 22
Summary
KNDS says converting a former Alstom rail-wagon site in Görlitz will make it operational for defense production within 1 year, versus 2 to 3 years to build a new factory.
Marcel Grisnigt said the shift reflects Europe’s main defense-industry weakness: not funding or technology, but producing weapons rapidly, cheaply and at scale.
Ukraine’s wartime manufacturing—especially in unmanned systems—has become KNDS’s benchmark, with Grisnigt saying Western Europe still cannot match its speed, affordability or adaptability.
KNDS is also tapping existing industrial capacity such as automotive supplier Draexlmaier, arguing repurposed facilities can expand output faster than greenfield projects.
The company says Europe must standardize more weapons production as well, because scale and lower supply-chain costs depend on building the same systems repeatedly.
As Europe converts civilian factories for defense, what are the hidden economic costs of shifting to a permanent war footing?
Can Europe's bureaucratic defense giants adopt Ukraine's agile innovation, or is it an impossible culture clash?
Securing Europe’s Defense: The Görlitz Plant’s Rapid Shift from Railcars to Armored Vehicles in 2025
Overview
Beginning in February 2025, the Görlitz plant underwent a major transformation as Alstom and KNDS agreed to shift its focus from railcar manufacturing to armored vehicle production. By December 2025, the factory had produced its last double-decker wagon and started assembling Leopard 2 and Puma tanks, marking a clear pivot to defense manufacturing. This transition, set to continue through 2027, not only boosts Germany’s defense output but also secures the future for most of the plant’s skilled employees, ensuring their expertise is retained and repurposed for the country’s evolving industrial and security needs.