Puma IFV joins German forces
The Puma infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was formally handed over by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to the German armed forces on 24 June.
The vehicle has entered active service with the German military, and the next step will be to train the trainers. The training process has already begun at the German Army training centre in Munster and will run up to the end of 2015.
A special organisation has been set up at the centre to provide three-month initial training sessions in the Puma IFV. The organisation receives the vehicles from the manufacturer, equips them and transfers them to troops being trained. The trained troops return to their home bases with the new vehicles.
Delivery of all 350 Puma IFVs will be complete by 2020, and the vehicles will be manufactured by PSM, a 50-50 joint venture of Rheinmetall and KMW. The contract is worth around $4.72 billion, including additional equipment ordered separately.
Rheinmetall and PSM have concluded the necessary technical/logistical support and maintenance contracts.
The Puma IFV features a new MK30-2/ABM 30mm automatic cannon with programmable ammunition, a hydro-pneumatic chassis, a top speed of 70kmph, a modular protection system and digitised command and control technology. It houses optics, optronics and sensors for ISR.
More from Land Warfare
-
Saab to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 near New Delhi as Swedish firm eyes Indian expansion
Saab has planned to build “a streamlined ownership structure” in India to accelerate its investment plans and developing capabilities in the country.
-
Japan orders THeMIS UGVs
Milrem’s Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, multimission, hybrid UGV. The current fifth-generation model incorporates knowledge gained during tests in the US, Europe and the Middle East, as well as during field-deployment in Mali in the French-led Operation Barkhane.
-
NATO orders more 155mm ammunition
The contract, in the triple-digit million euro range, includes high explosive extended range projectiles, modular charges, fuzes and primers.
-
US deploys Mid-Range Capability missile defence system to the Philippines
Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile defence system has leveraged Lockheed Martin’s expertise with two in-service USN systems: the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) and the Aegis Weapon System.
-
USMC narrows down field for light loitering munition requirement
The US Marine Corps selected a team of UVision and Mistral to meet a requirement for Organic Precision Fires Mounted (OPF-M) loitering munition in 2021. It has now awarded contracts for the soldier carried light (OPF-L) version after the success of similar systems in Ukraine highlighted the potential for such weapons.