Germany allocates $1.6bn to buy 50 Puma infantry fighting vehicles

German lawmakers have approved the German Ministry of Defence's request to buy a new batch of Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The purchase is part of a commitment to NATO.

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The decision was made on May 10, two days before the offer from Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann expired. As a result, Germany will spend €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) on the purchase of 50 infantry fighting vehicles.

In addition to the vehicles, the deal includes spare parts. The agreement will be financed from a €100 billion ($109 billion) defense fund. Deliveries will start in 2024 and will be completed by 2027.

The German Army currently has 350 Puma combat vehicles in service. The new agreement will increase their number to 400 units. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius does not rule out that another deal for an additional batch will be signed later this year.

The Puma is a replacement for the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. It is equipped with the Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon, which can engage targets up to 4 km away. There is also a twin 5.56mm machine gun and two Spike-LR anti-tank missiles.

The combat vehicle is equipped with an 800 horsepower engine. It can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h and 70 km/h off-road and on-road respectively. The vehicle has a range of 600km.

Last month, Germany allocated €770 million ($764 million) to Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to upgrade infantry fighting vehicles to S1 level. They will receive upgraded observation equipment, new electronic equipment and the MELLS missile system.

Source: Defence News