Germany will spend €770m to upgrade the world's most expensive Puma infantry fighting vehicles, despite a procurement stoppage due to 18 units breaking down during exercises

German companies Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMF) have received €770 million to upgrade Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The vehicles will be upgraded to S1 level.

Here's What We Know

The Puma S1 combat vehicles will be equipped with the MELLS missile system and receive upgraded observation equipment. The upgrade also involves the installation of new electronic equipment.

Under the new contract KMF and Rheinmetall will upgrade 143 infantry fighting vehicles. This is the second upgrade for the Puma. In 2021, the German government has allocated €1.24bn to upgrade 154 units.

It is worth noting that 18 infantry fighting vehicles broke down at once during the exercise last year. After that, Germany suspended the modernization process and paused purchases of new military equipment.

The Puma is the most expensive infantry fighting vehicle in the world. The armory includes a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM 30 mm cannon, a twin 5.56 mm machine gun, and two Spike-LR anti-tank missiles.

The Puma is powered by an 800 horsepower engine. The infantry fighting vehicle can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h off road and 70 km/h on the highway. The vehicle has a cruising range of 600 km.

Source: Rheinmetall