Rheinmetall wins $380 million contract for Puma IFV ammunition
The 30mm-armed Puma tracked IFV was developed by Projekt System & Management (PSM). (Photo: German Army)
Rheinmetall has been awarded a €350 million (US$380 million) contract by the German Bundeswehr for the supply of several hundreds of thousands of round of 30mm x 173 DM21 service ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The latest deal marked the third call off of a €576 million deal signed in December 2022. Delivery on the latest contract award will begin this year and continue through to 2027.
A first call-off of DM21 automatic cannon ammunition under the existing framework contract was issued in late 2022 and second a call-off followed in mid-2023 with more expected beyond the most recent one.
The Puma infantry fighting vehicle has been armed with a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM, specifically designed to fire airburst ammunition.
Combining a high rate of fire with cutting-edge ammunition technology, the MK30-2/ABM is an uncompromisingly excellent, extremely reliable weapon system, perfect for engaging ground, air and maritime targets.
Rheinmetall produces and supplies two main types of 30mm x 173 service ammunition: the Kinetic Energy Time Fuse (KETF) DM21 (airburst) and the KE DM33 (armour-piercing), as well as the DM58 practice round.
Extremely reliable programming of the KETF DM21 has enabled the Puma to engage larger soft targets and semi-hard area targets. The KE DM33 belongs to the new generation of subcalibre Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot – Tracer (APFSDS-T) ammunition.
More from Land Warfare
-
Elbit Systems looks to enhance automation for Israeli artillery systems
Automation efforts on the Roem and Sigma howitzers will maintain a ‘man in a loop’ configuration as the Israeli company focuses on the export market.
-
How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence
Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.
-
MBDA announces new VSHORAD system at Farnborough International Airshow 2024
The VSHORAD supersonic single-operator interceptor air defence system was unveiled at Farnborough.
-
Raytheon notes CUAS laser success and pushes for faster air defence manufacture
Raytheon’s Patriot air defence system has been in high demand with orders and commitment coming in from Germany, Romania and Spain.
-
BAE Tridon MK2 fitted with Chess Dynamics fire control system
The collaboration between the defence giant and the gunfire control specialist will help deliver a modular anti-drone solution.