The Bundeswehr has commissioned Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, to modernize the remaining 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles of the first batch, worth 770 million euros.
This emerges from a joint press release by Rheinmetall and KMW, which the two companies sent out yesterday. The budgetary funds for the modernization of the combat vehicles were released by the budget committee of the Bundestag at the end of December 2022.
The modernization that has now been commissioned involves the triggering of two options, which are part of the contract for retrofitting the serial PUMA infantry fighting vehicle to the new design status S1, which was already concluded with PSM in June 2021. At that time, the conversion of the first 154 armored personnel carriers to the S1 design status by 2026 was commissioned. The modernization that has now been commissioned is to last until 2029. The remaining Pumas of the 1st lot were upgraded in advance to the K-stand VJTF-2023, which largely corresponds to the S1 upgrade stand. Since the 13 driving school vehicles will not be retrofitted, the army's Puma fleet will have a uniform design status S1 after the retrofit is complete.
Infantry fighting vehicle Puma VJTF 2023 and S1
Two key features characterize the VJTF 2023 Puma as an intermediate step to the S1 configuration: Improved command and control capability through digitization and strengthened anti-tank capability through full integration of the multi-role light guided missile system (MELLS).
Digital radios enable communication with voice and data radio across all tactical command levels. The rifle squad equipped with IdZ-ES is connected via the Battlefield Management System (BMS) TacNet. The combat participants, from individual soldiers to battalion leaders, have access to the same situation picture with the display of the positions of enemy and own forces via the digital situation map. The dismounted Panzergrenadier can, for example, assign a digital target and thus enable the core crew remaining on the vehicle to engage in target combat.
Reconnaissance and situational awareness are raised to a new level with new color cameras for day and night vision and color monitors. The commander and gunner receive an improved representation of the target area through the respective optronic systems. The mounted rifle squad can constantly monitor the surroundings with the camera systems and color displays and, if necessary, enlighten targets. The soldiers know the environment in which they will be deployed before they dismount. Drivers also benefit from more powerful vision systems and are able to maneuver the vehicle safely and in line with tactical requirements in built-up and undeveloped areas. With the full integration of the MELLS guided missile system, the ability to fight against enemies in armored vehicles and cover could be significantly improved. Two EuroSpike LR guided missiles, ready for launch, can be deployed from the vehicle – i.e. protected under the hatch – with the same operating devices as for the main and secondary armament.
Another feature of the IFV Puma VJTF 2023 is the pre-arrangement for accommodating the turret-independent secondary weapon system (TSWA) on the right rear of the vehicle. The unmanned weapon station TSWA is used for self-defence and can fire non-lethal and lethal 40 mm ammunition up to a distance of 400 m. After completion of the development, the series order is expected for 2023.
The next target configuration for the AFV Puma is called S1. In June 2021, the manufacturer consortium Projekt System & Management (PSM) was commissioned by the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr to retrofit the remaining Puma fleet.
Compared to the VJTF 2023 version, electronic components are still being modernized. The equipment with SEM radios (SEM 80, SEM 90, SEM 93) will be replaced by the new digital cross-sectional armed forces joint network capable radio equipment (SVFuA). The on-board communication system SOTAS IP is expanded by the more current version SOTAS IP6R. The explosion-proof GPS navigation system ERGR (Explosion Resistant GPS Receiver) will be replaced by the successor system ERGR II.
Waldemar Geiger
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