Major order for the German army technical industry: 50 PUMA

The two major German system houses in military vehicle construction, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, have been contracted to build an additional 50 Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The procurement has a total volume of 1.087 billion EUR gross. Of this, 574 million EUR goes to KMW and 501 million EUR to Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, which carries out the project as a subcontractor.

A corresponding order has been awarded by the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Utilization of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), Koblenz. The general contractor is the Project System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture of KMW and Rheinmetall. A framework contract has been signed, which also allows for later calls for additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles.

The acquisition includes, in addition to the 50 combat vehicles, spare parts packages and special tool sets, as well as eight flight phase simulators MELLS. In addition, there is an option for additional training tanks and the integration of the turret-independent secondary weapon system (TSWA). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2025 and be completed by early 2027.

The Puma infantry fighting vehicle is the main weapon system of the German mechanized infantry and the most powerful and modern system of its kind in the world. It accommodates a crew of nine people – commander, gunner, and driver, as well as a six-man infantry team. In addition to a modular, highly effective protection system, the Puma has a unique level of penetration and the capability to be used in networked operations.

Most recently, in February 2023, the Koblenz-based BAAINBw had commissioned a comprehensive modernization of 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles from Bundeswehr stocks that do not yet meet the latest standard S1. The retrofitting, scheduled to be completed by 2029, includes the integration of high-resolution day and night vision capable camera systems, the multi-role capable Light Anti-Tank Missile System (MELLS), and the integration of a digital radio equipment. The 50 vehicles newly ordered will also be delivered in the S1 standard. All information about the PUMA.

RHEINMETALL Online

KMW Online

PSM Online

More PUMA on SPARTANAT:

– JOINT DECLARATION: INDUSTRY FOR THE PUMA

– NEW AMMUNITION FOR THE PUMA INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE

– MECHANIZED INFANTRY ATTACKS – MARDER VS. PUMA

– DOCUMENTARY: THE NEW GERMAN CAT – PUMA