MUNICH: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has received the largest single order in its recent history with a commission for series production of the Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
PSM GmbH (Project System and Management), a joint venture in which KMW and Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf each hold a 50% stake, was awarded a contract by the Federal German Defence Technology and Procurement Agency (BWB) for the delivery of 405 newly developed combat vehicles.
The total contract value is approximately EUR 3.1 billion. The delivery of the IFVs to the German Bundeswehr will start 2010.
The Budget as well as the Defence Committee of the German Parliament (Bundestag) have previously given the green light for the start of what is currently the largest European armaments project for land forces.
“The PUMA contract is of key significance both for the Bundeswehr and the industry. It sets unique technical standards and will ensure that decisive system skills are retained in Germany, which are vital for maintaining our international competitiveness,” said Frank Haun, CEO of KMW, on signing the contract.
Puma sets new standards – best possible protection for crew
The Puma is the most important modernisation project in the Bundeswehr’s armaments procurement programme. It offers its occupants until now unequalled protection against mines, anti-tank weapons and improvised explosive devices commonly encountered in modern conflict areas. Its air portability, its mobility in difficult terrain and its scalability all go to make the Puma a vehicle that will take on important tasks in international conflict management while providing its occupants with the best possible degree of protection.
It is also without equal in terms of endurance and firepower. The [unmanned] turret design developed by KMW sets new standards, as does a decoupled running gear that is completely isolated from the vehicle bodypan, which means that even at high speeds noise and vibrations inside the vehicle can be reduced in comparison with existing IFVs by around 90 percent.
More than 30 years after the Marder IFV entered service with the Bundeswehr, the Puma, with its extended scope of performance, establishes a completely new vehicle category. In international comparison it is taking a leading position among armoured combat vehicles.
In September 2002, the German Parliament gave the go-ahead for the new IFV by issuing the development order. It was decided to procure five pre-production series vehicles with a value of around EUR 350 million at the end of 2004. These pre-series vehicles are now in service with the Bundeswehr for trials and optimisation having successfully completed numerous tests in March 2009.
