PUMA Infantry Fighting Vehicle Gets Bundeswehr Approval

Rheinmetall announced today that its PUMA infantry fighting vehicle has been approved for service by the German procurement agency.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, or BAAINBw issued the required Approval for service use permit.

The Puma will gradually supersede the Bundeswehr’s Marder IFV, whose original version first entered service with German mechanized infantry units over forty years ago.

A formal evaluation by the Bundeswehr’s Office of Military Vehicles was required in order to obtain the necessary operating permit and roadworthiness certification. Effective 13 April 2015, the German Army Chief of Staff announced formal willingness to accept the Puma IFV.

The training can begin as planned with an initial seven IFVs. Additional vehicles will follow in coming months.

The necessary contracts for maintenance and technical and logistical support between the Bundeswehr and the contractor, Projektgesellschaft PSM, have been concluded.

PSM is a joint venture of system suppliers Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, each of which holds a 50% stake in the company. Long-term support for the Puma by the ground forces technology sector in Germany is this assured.