Germany Expands Rheinmetall Puma IFV Contract With Major 30mm Ammunition Order.

Germany has expanded a framework agreement with Rheinmetall, placing a new order worth several hundred million euros for 30mm x 173 ammunition used by the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The move underscores Berlin’s push to rebuild combat-ready stockpiles and reinforce NATO’s eastern deterrence posture amid a more volatile European security environment.

The German Bundeswehr has increased its procurement of medium-caliber ammunition, awarding Rheinmetall a new order for 30mm x 173 rounds intended for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, according to information published by the company on January 5, 2026. Valued in the high hundreds of millions of euros, the order expands an existing framework agreement and reflects Germany’s accelerating effort to strengthen armored force readiness and replenish munitions reserves after decades of underinvestment, defense industry sources said.
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The Puma IFV, jointly developed by Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), represents the cutting edge of NATO armored infantry doctrine (Picture source: Bundeswehr)

The ammunition contract, originally signed in December 2022 and valid through 2029, was structured to allow for modular call-offs by the Bundeswehr. With the latest order, the total volume now approaches €1 billion. Several hundred thousand rounds are to be delivered under this agreement, including immediate retrieval of a medium six-figure quantity, underscoring the urgency Germany now places on rearming for high-intensity scenarios.

The rounds being procured are tailored for the Puma’s signature weapon system, the Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon. This advanced, stabilized 30mm gun delivers unmatched accuracy on the move and integrates programmable airburst ammunition to counter modern asymmetric threats, from entrenched infantry to loitering drones. It supports the Puma’s hunter-killer capability, enabling rapid target engagement with precision fire, even under dynamic conditions.

But the relevance of this contract cannot be separated from the weapon platform itself. The Puma IFV, jointly developed by Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), represents the cutting edge of NATO armored infantry doctrine. Designed for survivability and battlefield flexibility, the Puma combines high tactical mobility, network-centric warfare capabilities, and exceptional protection in a 43-ton combat vehicle engineered for 21st-century warfare.

The Puma boasts a power-to-weight ratio of up to 25 kW/t, made possible by its 800kW engine and decoupled hydropneumatic running gear. It can achieve speeds up to 70 km/h and offers air transportability aboard the Airbus A400M, allowing rapid deployment across theaters. The vehicle accommodates a nine-person crew (3+6) and features a fully remote-controlled turret to enhance crew survivability.

In terms of protection, the Puma delivers what is currently considered among the world’s most comprehensive armor and countermeasure suites for IFVs, including layered defense against mines, IEDs, kinetic penetrators, and NBC threats. An active soft-kill system adds defense against guided missiles, while the integrated optronics provide early warning and rapid response to emerging threats.

The munitions now being delivered include the KE-TF DM21 (Kinetic Energy - Time Fuze) airburst round and the KE DM33 armor-piercing variant. The DM21 offers programmable detonation modes, giving Puma crews the ability to neutralize soft targets hidden behind cover or engaging small UAVs in flight. The KE DM33 ensures the platform retains its edge against enemy vehicles and fortified positions, even in complex terrain.

This expansion follows the December 2025 announcement of a parallel contract for 200 additional Puma IFVs, which will drastically increase the Bundeswehr’s operational fleet. That acquisition, also led by Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland, signals a doctrinal pivot by Germany toward sustained readiness and rapid response forces.

For Rheinmetall, the order cements its status as the premier European supplier of medium-caliber combat ammunition. The company is scaling production to meet both German and NATO demand, with plans to expand capacity at its domestic facilities in response to long-term strategic commitments.

Germany’s acceleration of Puma-related procurements also reflects wider NATO dynamics, as alliance members respond to lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. From logistics shortfalls to munitions burn rates, the conflict has laid bare the urgent need for well-stocked, high-tech, and survivable combat systems. The Puma, backed by this significant munitions investment, stands as a pillar of Germany’s contribution to NATO's future force posture.