On May 10, the budget committee approved the EUR 25 million proposal for the procurement of 50 Puma infantry fighting vehicles of the second lot with the votes of all parties except the LINKE, as reported by the news service Today in the Bundestag (hib). According to reports from various media, a volume of 1.5 billion euros is planned for the initial order for the 50 Pumas from the “framework contract for the manufacture and delivery of series vehicles (2nd lot) of the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle”. The tanks are to be delivered by 2028 together with special tool kits, a spare parts package and the MELLS weapon system.
According to the framework agreement, the second lot is to include a total of 229 Pumas with a financial volume of 4.8 billion euros. Further calls must be made by February 2024 if the same conditions are to apply.
Funds are earmarked for the Bundeswehr special fund for financing. However, it is not certain whether the funds raised there will be sufficient. The project is already suffering from a price increase of 12.8 percent, writes MdB Ingo Gädechens (CDU), rapporteur for defense in the budget committee. Due to the considerable risks for the federal budget and the technical problems that have still not been resolved, the committee requested reports on the progress of the project in a stipulation.
After the committee meeting, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was satisfied with the approval and the possible progress in the project. The Puma is a quantum leap in terms of protecting soldiers, in terms of operational effectiveness and mobility, a factor that is playing an increasingly important role. “We need a robust system with these capabilities that is war-ready. ... We have a need for this Puma, especially since the changed security situation."
The order will now go very quickly. "Then we'll get on our way and hope to be able to place a second order in the course of this year," Pistorius continued.
Gerhard Heiming
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