KNDS IPO still possible this year, chief tells Handelsblatt

FRANKFURT, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Franco-German tank maker KNDS could sell its shares this year under the right market conditions, its CEO told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Thursday, after an IPO attempt in July was put on hold.

Here are more details:

• "A market listing in 2026 is still possible, provided that market conditions meet the shareholders' expectations. For KNDS, an early start would be best," CEO Jean-Paul Alary said in an interview.

• Alary added that a later IPO was also possible, though a transaction during next year's presidential election campaign in France should be avoided.

• "In the middle of an election campaign would not be the ideal time for an initial public offering. But we’re not there yet," said Alary.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)