The armored personnel carriers (SPz) Puma are upgraded to configuration status S1. After the budgetary funds had been approved by parliament, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr signed a contract on June 28, 2021 with PSM GmbH, the 50:50 joint venture between Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, for the conversion of the first Lots closed with 154 infantry fighting vehicles worth one billion euros. An option has been agreed for the conversion of a second batch of 143 Pumas worth 820 million euros. The conversion of the first lot is to be completed by 2026, that of the second lot by 2029. 40 Puma infantry fighting vehicles are already being converted for the NATO spearhead VJTF 2023. Since the 13 driving school vehicles will not be converted, the uniform design status S1 has been agreed for all Puma.
The new Puma version S1 is characterized, among other things, by the integration of distance-capable effectors such as the multi-role capable light guided missile system (MELLS), additional sensors such as the new driver vision system and an improved guidance architecture. The new all-round and driver vision system heralds the end of the periscope era. For the first time, the entire crew can see “through the armor” day and night. Fusion mode combines day vision with powerful thermal imaging, enabling early reconnaissance of cloaked targets, day or night. The Puma is the first Western combat vehicle that can be used with such a system as standard.
Erst im März 2021 konnte der Inspekteur des Heeres, Generalleutnant Alfons Mais, die Gefechtstauglichkeit Systems Panzergrenadier mit dem Schützenpanzer Puma und dem Soldatensystem Infanterist der Zukunft – Erweitertes System (IdZ – ES) feststellen. Im System Panzergrenadier wird in Deutschland zum ersten Mal eine digitalisierte Fahrzeugplattform mit einem Soldatensystem zusammengeführt, das über digitale Funktechnik verfügt.
In a resolution on the Puma, the budget committee of the Bundestag called on the Ministry of Defense to use the VJTF deployment of the Puma for a critical inventory. With knowledge from the use under realistic everyday conditions over a longer period of time, a valid time and financial plan for a fully operational Puma fleet is to be developed. Together with cost-benefit considerations, this should form the basis for the decision on a second procurement lot Puma.
The army is currently equipped with 350 Puma infantry fighting vehicles and almost 400 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. The service life of the 50-year-old Marder is limited despite retrofitting. The Marder is no longer suitable for use according to the Bundeswehr's 2018 capability profile and as equipment for armored infantrymen according to the Army Plan in Division 2032. Therefore, a decision for a second batch of Puma must be made as soon as possible, even if the budget is tight.
Gerhard Heiming
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