Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, has signed a contract with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) to retrofit 154 PUMA infantry fighting vehicles in service with the Bundeswehr. The contract also covers logistical services such as special tools and replacement parts as well as the design of additional capability upgrades. The contract is worth more than €1 billion.

In addition, further options amounting to €820 million were agreed to upgrade the remaining 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles by 2029.

The retrofitting of the first 154 vehicles will take place in the core capabilities of firepower and command & control. They will thus be brought up to the modern standard that has already been tested for the 40 PUMA vehicles that will be deployed in NATO’s VJTF rapid response force from 2023. The measures include in particular:

• Integration of the guided missile system MELLS
• Preparation for integration of a turret-independent secondary weapon system (TSWA)
• Integration of high-resolution, day- and night-vision camera systems for the driver and the mounted infantry section
• Integration of state-of-the-art, colour-enabled optronics for gunner and commander
• Connection of the soldier system “Infantryman of the Future – Expanded System” (IdZ-ES) and the Battle Management System (BMS)
• Integration of new digital radio units

With the upgraded PUMA infantry fighting vehicles, the Bundeswehr will then have a fully digital and networked weapon system that has already impressively demonstrated its decisive value in all tactical investigations and in realistic combat scenarios.

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