German Bundeswehr to get Puma IFV Laser Duel Simulators

Rheinmetall has won an order potentially worth €142 million to supply the German Bundeswehr with AGDUS duel simulators
for their Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

At the end of 2019, Rheinmetall received orders to this effect from the consortium responsible for the Puma for the AGDUS duel simulator, which had in turn been awarded the contract by the Bundeswehr on 20 December.

Rheinmetall said in a statement earlier this week that a pre-series of six systems will be developed and integrated, the order value (booked in January 2020) of which comes to €54 million. Once the system is ready for full-scale serial production, an option exists for equipping 252 infantry fighting vehicles. This would result in an additional order for Rheinmetall worth around €88 million, bringing the total value of the AGDUS contract to around €142 million.

Each AGDUS set consists of laser detectors arrayed around the vehicle as well as eye-safe lasers capable of simulating the effects of the Puma’s principal weapon systems, i.e. the automatic cannon, machinegun and MELLS antitank guided missile. The laser algorithms are programmed to assure ballistically exact simulation of shots and hits. The AGDUS also enables simulation of the Puma IFV’s turret-independent secondary weapon system, or TSWA, as well as the vehicle’s self-defence systems. As a result, realistic exercises can be conducted and evaluated at the German Army Combat Training Centre and other training facilities.

Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems and Electronics Solutions divisions will bring their respective expertise to bear in completing this order, with most of the work being performed at Group locations in Bremen and Unterlüß.