In the ongoing process of integrating the Puma infantry fighting vehicle into the German armed forces, Rheinmetall has recently booked a series of orders from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). Besides production and delivery of 10,000 rounds of 30mm x 173 calibre armour-piercing ammunition, the Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to modify a system gun rest, and to supply it with special tools and spare parts. The orders, placed from February to April, are worth over €12 million in total.
Rheinmetall’s Oberndorf unit is in charge of these projects. The former Mauser plant is the birthplace of the Puma’s newly developed main armament, the 30mm MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon. The accompanying array of ammunition includes programmable rounds, enabling the Puma to successfully engage a wide spectrum of targets.
Now being fielded by the Bundeswehr, the Puma IFV provides Germany’s mechanized infantry forces with a new principal weapons system, one that represents a whole new dimension in international armoured vehicle design. Setting new standards in every relevant capabilities category, the Puma lends itself to a multitude of operational scenarios and can be deployed in all climate zones. Delivery of the 350 IFVs ordered by the Bundeswehr will be complete by 2020.
Rheinmetall Defence produces an exceptionally wide range of weapons and munitions – from medium- and large-calibre products to infantry ammunition, and from pyrotechnics to warheads and propulsion technology for missiles and torpedoes. The spectrum includes medium-calibre automatic cannon for the Eurofighter, naval vessels and infantry fighting vehicles, as well as the 120mm main armament of the Leopard tank, including the accompanying ammunition families.