Series Production of the Armored Infantry Combat Vehicle PUMA under Contract
Koblenz, 11/16/2007.
Multirole capability, flexibility and a high protection level are the main features of the new armored infantry combat vehicle PUMA. After more than 30 years, it will replace the AICV MARDER which has been in use with the Bundeswehr since the early seventies.
On 15 November 2007, the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement signed the contract for the series production of the armored infantry combat vehicle PUMA. The contract was awarded to PSM Projekt System & Management GmbH, a subsidiary of the companies Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. From the year 2010 on, the German Army shall be equipped with 405 systems in total.
After signing the contract, the Vice-President of the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement, Harald Stein, emphasized the importance of the new AICV for the armed forces. Before starting the series production, however, some work will still be necessary for the new equipment to fulfill all requirements of the Bundeswehr. The official services will accompany industry's verification efforts and do their utmost to keep the demanding schedule.
The contract signature in Kassel was preceded by the parliamentary approval by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag on 08 November 2007. The series production is subject to the proviso that the contractor will finally demonstrate the efficiency of the overall system.
