The German government has agreed to buy a 40% stake in KNDS, Europe's largest tankmaker, from the families that own part of the company. The stake is valued at around €6 billion, depending on the company's valuation, and requires approval from the German Bundestag's budget committee. France currently holds 50% of KNDS, but plans to reduce its share to 40% so both governments hold equal stakes, with the remaining 20% expected to be sold in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt and Paris exchanges.