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Arctic test of the new German armored infantry combat vehicle PUMA in Lakselv Norway 2103121

Military Defense Technology News - German PUM AIFV

Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 06:52 AM

Arctic test of the new German armored infantry combat vehicle PUMA in Lakselv, Norway.

For the purpose of evidencing the mission capability of the PUMA armored infantry combat vehicle in harsh winter conditions, the arctic test of the vehicle takes place in one of Europe’s coldest regions. The PUMA infantry fighting vehicle sets new international standards in technology and design. Under the umbrella of “Projekt System und Management GmbH” (PSM) headquartered in Kassel, KMW is developing this ambitious programme along with Rheinmetall Landsysteme
(Source: BWB)

The PUMA armored infantry combat vehicle during heavy tests north of the polar circle.
(Source: BWB)

December 6, 2010, Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) handed over in time the first two PUMA infantry fighting vehicles to the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement for the German Army (BWB) in Kassel for verification tests. This marks the start for the contractual delivery of 405 ordered vehicles to the German Armed Forces. The contract with a volume of roughly € 3.1 bn was signed in July 2009. The delivery of the PUMA is a significant milestone for the most important procurement program of the German Army.

After having started road transport in Kassel, Germany, the production vehicles of the PUMA armored infantry combat vehicle have arrived in the Allied Training Center in Porsangmoen, Norway, three weeks later. Over a period of approximately three months the extreme tests will be conducted far north of the polar circle. In snow and ice and at very low temperatures, mainly mobility and firing trials as well as measurements in the interior will be conducted.

One of the Bundeswehr requirements for the PUMA armored infantry combat vehicle is the global operation in almost all climatic conditions. In order to guarantee that this requirement is met, the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik (Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement) has drawn up an appropriate compliance program which will be implemented with technical assistance provided by the specialists of the Bundeswehr technical centers. Soldiers, however, will also be represented by experienced personnel in Lakselv. The direct PUMA support at the test location is ensured by qualified private sector personnel.

With its unique balance of tactical and strategic mobility, survivability and fighting power, the PUMA gives the German Armed Forces a state-of-the-art infantry fighting vehicle systematically tailored to the current and future operational requirements of the German military both at home and abroad.

PUMA sets the new standard – maximum protection for the crew

No comparable vehicle provides its crew with such a high level of protection from typical conflict zone threats such as landmines, rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices. Well-protected yet light enough to airlift, the PUMA's modularity and expandability make it the perfect tool for international conflict management. The PUMA, whose main armament and ammunition had to be modified to match the altered threat spectrum, represents the ultimate in fighting power and survivability.

Today, more than thirty years after Germany first fielded the MARDER, the PUMA is poised to significantly expand the Bundeswehr's capabilities spectrum, providing it with an entirely new category of tactical vehicle. In any international comparison, the PUMA clearly represents the cutting edge in contemporary armoured vehicle technology.