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.
Das zweite Los soll nach dem Rahmenvertrag insgesamt 229 Puma umfassen mit einem Finanzvolumen von 4,8 Milliarden Euro. Weitere Abrufe müssen bis Februar 2024 erfolgen, wenn die gleichen Konditionen gelten sollen.
Für die Finanzierung sind Mittel dem Sondervermögen Bundeswehr vorgesehen. Es ist aber nicht sicher, ob die dort ausgebrachten Mittel reichen werden. Schon jetzt leide das Vorhaben unter einer Preissteigerung von 12,8 Prozent, schreibt MdB Ingo Gädechens (CDU), Berichterstatter Verteidigung im Haushaltsausschuss. Der Ausschuss habe wegen der erheblichen Risiken für den Bundeshaushalt und der noch immer nicht ausgeräumten technischen Probleme in einem Maßgabebeschluss Berichte über den Verlauf des Vorhabens angefordert.
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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