Exclusive: Germany to acquire more Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles in response to European security threats.

According to the German defense budget draft 2025 published at this link, Germany has earmarked €1.48 billion to procure additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles IFVs, with committed payments planned at €503.6 million in 2028 and €976.8 million in 2029. This investment is a cornerstone of Germany’s broader rearmament initiative, aimed at reinforcing its mechanized forces and modernizing the German army (Bundeswehr) in response to growing geopolitical instability across Europe.
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The Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle is the German Army’s most advanced tracked armored vehicle, designed to transport and protect mechanized infantry while delivering superior firepower, mobility and battlefield awareness in high-threat environments. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Puma IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) is the backbone of the German Army’s mechanized infantry units. It serves as the primary combat vehicle for the Panzergrenadier units, combining troop transport, fire support, and digital battlefield integration in one platform. Developed by Projekt System & Management GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the Puma is widely recognized as one of the most advanced infantry fighting vehicles in the world. It was designed to operate in high-intensity, multi-domain operations alongside main battle tanks, ensuring speed, protection, and firepower for frontline infantry.

In terms of firepower, the Puma is equipped with a fully stabilized 30mm MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon capable of engaging moving targets with high accuracy and using programmable airburst munitions to defeat entrenched infantry and drones. It also integrates twin-launchers for Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles, providing precision strike capability against armored threats at ranges up to 4,000 meters. A coaxial 5.56mm machine gun complements the primary armament for close-in defense.

For protection, the Puma features a modular armor system adaptable to mission requirements, including add-on composite armor that meets NATO STANAG Level 6 ballistic protection. The vehicle is fitted with the MUSS 2.0 soft-kill active protection system that detects and neutralizes incoming anti-tank guided missiles using directional countermeasures. Its interior is designed to protect the crew and dismounted infantry against mines and improvised explosive devices with energy-absorbing seats and underbody blast protection.

In terms of mobility, the Puma is powered by a 1,090 hp MTU V10 diesel engine coupled with a Renk HSWL 256 automatic transmission, allowing it to reach speeds over 70 km/h on road and maintain agility across rough terrain. Its hydro-pneumatic suspension and low ground pressure ensure high cross-country performance, while its compact dimensions allow for rail and air transportability. The Puma is also equipped with full NBC protection, an advanced battlefield management system, and integrated thermal imaging for all-weather, day-and-night operations.

Germany’s procurement strategy for the Puma IFV has evolved over more than a decade. The initial contract in 2009 covered 405 units, later revised to 350, with deliveries completed by 2021. In June 2021, Germany signed a €1.04 billion contract to upgrade 154 vehicles to the S1 standard. This was followed by a €770 million contract in 2023 to modernize another 143 vehicles. In May 2023, an additional €1.1 billion contract was approved for 50 new Puma IFVs, bringing total deliveries to over 400 units. The latest 2025 allocation confirms Berlin’s intent to fully standardize and operationalize the Puma fleet by 2029.

This new defense push comes as Germany redefines its role within NATO following the war in Ukraine. On June 24, 2025, the German government announced a plan to raise defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2026, with further increases expected through 2029. This declaration came just hours before the NATO Summit in The Hague on June 25, where alliance members agreed to a historic commitment of raising defense investments to 5 percent of national GDP. The decision reflects the alliance’s response to mounting threats from Russia, which continues to militarize its western frontier and conduct aggressive military maneuvers near NATO borders.

Germany, historically criticized for underinvestment in defense, is now undergoing its most ambitious rearmament since the Cold War. Alongside the Puma IFV program, the Bundeswehr is acquiring Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks, advancing the Main Ground Combat System MGCS, modernizing PzH 2000 howitzers, expanding air defense assets, and investing heavily in electronic warfare, logistics, and digital command infrastructure. The German Army is being reshaped into a fully digitized, rapidly deployable force structured around high-readiness brigades capable of large-scale combat operations within NATO’s collective defense architecture.

The Puma IFV is at the heart of this transformation. As the foundation of Germany’s mechanized infantry, it ensures the Bundeswehr maintains operational dominance in future European battlefields. With its blend of firepower, mobility, and advanced protection systems, the Puma positions Germany to fulfill its NATO obligations and assume a leadership role in securing the alliance’s eastern flank in the face of rising strategic challenges.