KNDS France
GIAT Industries (formerly known as Groupement des Industries de l'Armée de Terre, Army's Industries Group) is a French government-owned weapon manufacturer.
It manufactures various weapons and other hardware for the French and foreign military, including:
- the FAMAS assault rifle,
- the FRF2 sniper riffle
- the Leclerc main battle tank.
- the VAB armoured personnel carrier
- the 20mm modèle F2 gun
The group was founded in 1973 by combining the industrial assets of the technical direction of Army weapons of the French Ministry of Defense. In 1991, it was turned into a national company.
Ever since it was founded, GIAT's management has been difficult. The company is operated at a loss, and a 2001 report by the Cour des Comptes described the situation as critical.
References
- Template:Fr icon Cour des Comptes, Les industries d'armement de l'État, chapter 3, 2001