Testing will be conducted under the direction of the German Office for military equipment an information technology with the help of military personnel of the German army technical center.

Apart from testing Puma's suitability for very hot weather operations, the trials will also include firing and driving manoeuvres in desert conditions, as well as firepower and mobility evaluations.

During the trials, the temperature profiles inside the vehicle will be measured, then compared to the ambient temperature and analysed.

Depending on the test results, the first production of Puma AIFV is expected to be delivered to the German Army in 2014 to replace the old German-made armoured infantry fighting vehicle Marder which is currently in service with the German army.

On the 3rd of July 2009, the German Defence Procurement Office and Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM) GmbH, Kassel, have signed the contract for the series production of 405 Puma Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles including the Integrated Logistic Support and Training Packages.

Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM) is a Joint Venture (50% stake each) of Opens external link in new windowKrauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH und Co. KG (KMW) and Opens external link in new windowRheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH (RLS), two of Europe´s leading manufacturers of armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles.

PSM was established in 2002 with the objective of coordinating the development and production of the new Puma armoured infantry fighting vehicle for the German Army on the industry side.

In July 2012, the German Army and PSM GmbH formally agreed on the 11th of July 2012 a contract reduction from 405 to 350 AIFV PUMA - as a consequence of the realignment of the German Bundeswehr. Part of the agreement forms an extension of the qualification trial period until 30th of September 2013.

PUMA marks the beginning of a new generation of Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles. PUMA’s leading edge technology and design combines highest protection and fire power with maximum mobility and modularity including growth potential for future technologies in one platform. PUMA provides the soldiers in today’s and tomorrow’s battlefields with maximum protection, lethal firepower and mobility.