Puma infantry fighting vehicle gets official approval for service in German army

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Defence & Security News - Germany
 
Puma infantry fighting vehicle gets official approval for service in German army
After extensive testing at the Bundeswehr (German Army) Technical services, many months of testing in extreme heat and cold abroad and several field tests by military, another milestone has now been achieved in the project IFV PUMA. The authorization for use of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) is granted.
     
Puma infantry fighting vehicle gets official approval for service in German army The Puma is armed with a remote control weapon station with a Mauser 30mm MK 30-2 cannon.
     

Many conditions had to be met for it. On the basis of tests and test results, technical optimizations were repeatedly developed, qualified and continuously introduced into the series vehicles. Thereafter, the sample report is finalized by the Central Military Motor Vehicles office to issue the necessary approval. Finally on April 13, the BAAINBw’s gave the authorization to use the IFV Puma.

Thus, the use is scheduled to begin next week with the “train the trainers” program with first seven armored personnel carriers. Other vehicles will follow in the coming months. This formation is carried out until the end of the year at the Munster training center. There, an introduction course was set up specifically for the PUMA , which performs the initial training of mechanized infantry companies on IFV PUMA for three months at the Munster training center. The program also includes the completition of the PUMA with Bundeswehr own equipment by the manufacturer. Thus, the Panzer Grenadiers will receive "their" PUMA and will have a three-month training to familiarize themselves with "their" new unit.

The necessary contracts for the repair and technical and logistical support have been concluded between the army and the PSM GmbH (joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG and Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH. for the coordination of the development and production of the new Puma armoured infantry fighting vehicle for the German Army). The support of the PUMA industry is thus ensured.