System Panzergrenadier is battle-ready.

The system Panzergrenadier delivered to the Bundeswehr by Rheinmetall and other partner companies has reached an important milestone. On March 18, 2021, the Inspector General of the Army, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, declared the combat readiness of the system. He also recommended equipping the NATO spearhead Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) 2023 provided by the Bundeswehr with it. The Panzergrenadier system essentially consists of a new design level of the infantry fighting vehicle Puma, delivered by the joint venture PSM GmbH led by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, and the Soldier System Infantryman of the Future-Extended System developed by Rheinmetall in the VJTF2023 version. After extensive development and modifications, the Panzergrenadier system underwent a three-week final tactical evaluation in February 2021 at the Bergen training ground, which was successfully completed. HERE you can find the documentary about the new German cat on SPARTANAT.

The Panzergrenadier system is expected to significantly contribute to the combat readiness and effectiveness of the VJTF 2023. This unit will bring together for the first time in Germany a digitized vehicle platform – the infantry fighting vehicle Puma in the enhanced VJTF configuration – with a soldier system equipped with digital radio technology.

The Panzergrenadier system offers two main advantages: firstly, all dismounted and mounted forces have access to the same information. Secondly, this information can be shared much more precisely, quickly, and robustly among each other. The close networking of sensors and effectors of both soldiers and infantry fighting vehicles minimizes the time between reconnaissance and action. This fusion into one system allows for effective tactical coordination between soldiers and their infantry fighting vehicles, increasing the operational value of the Panzergrenadier troops.

A total of 40 infantry fighting vehicles Puma in the VJTF configuration will be part of the equipment of the VJTF 2023. This currently most advanced version of the Puma is characterized, among other features, by the integration of standoff-capable effectors such as the Lightweight Multi-role Missile System (MELLS), additional sensors like the new driver's vision system, and an improved command architecture.

The new all-around and driver's vision system marks the end of the era of the periscope. For the first time, the entire crew can "see through the armor" during day and night operations. The fusion mode combines the day vision with the powerful thermal imaging and enables early detection of camouflaged targets both day and night. The Puma is the first Western combat vehicle to be equipped with such a system as standard.

With the combat readiness now established for the infantry fighting vehicle Puma, the German Panzergrenadier troops enter a new era, allowing for the remaining battalions to be equipped with the Puma in a comparable configuration in the future.

The systemic upgrading of vehicle platforms and soldier systems with the Panzergrenadier system provides a good foundation for designing and equipping larger coherent system networks. Thus, the Panzergrenadier system will be the basis for digitally connected and led units in the future. This path provides concrete impulses for future projects, as a significant increase in experience and capability in the field of IT system integration has taken place. Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH is responsible for the leadership capability within the consortium established with PSM GmbH, thereby ensuring the cross-platform integration of the system network.

Besides the current project, the Panzergrenadier system offers suggestions for further development. The next generation of the IdZ-ES is ready to start, and the design level of the infantry fighting vehicle Puma VJTF also provides a good basis for further growth – for instance, in the area of sensor-to-shooter functionalities.

The further development of the Panzergrenadier system, as a technological pioneer, offers opportunities for both the capabilities of the German Army's Division 2027 and the overall system of Digitalization of Land-based Operations (D-LBO).

The PUMA on the Internet: www.psm-spz.de

The Bundeswehr on the Internet: www.bundeswehr.de

RHEINMETALL DEFENCE on the Internet: www.rheinmetall-defence.com