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Ministry of Defence orders capability upgrade of 154 PUMA infantry fighting vehicles

28.06.2021

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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KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
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E-Mail: knds-pressservice (at) knds.de

KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.

KNDS forms a Group of around 9,500 employees, with a 2023 turnover of 3.3 billion euro, an order backlog of around 16 billion euro and incoming orders of 7.8 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment.

The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The alliance of KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. In addition, KNDS offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.

KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.