Puma

   The new Puma infantry fighting vehicle was jointly developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall in Germany to replace the ageing Marder 1 IFVs, that are now over 30 years old. Five pre-production vehicles were delivered in 2004. This new infantry fighting vehicle successfully passed numerous trials. First production Puma IFVs were delivered to the German Army in 2010. A total of 405 of these armroed vehicles will be built for the German Army.

   Puma IFV has an new hull and modular armor. It has an option of three various protection levels to suit operational needs. Weight of the vehicle vary from 29.4 to 43 tons accordingly to a protection level. Puma IFV also features an advanced threat warning system.

   The base model has a front and flank protection against 30-mm rounds, while vehicle has an all-round protection against 14.5-mm machine gun fire. It can also withstand 10 kg anti-tank mine blasts.

   The most protected variant can be considered as a heavy IFV. Additional armor modules are be fitted, increasing Puma's weight to 43 tons. Furthermore in this configuration it it is even heavier than the T-72 main battle tank.

   Vehicle is armed with a remotely operated weapon station. It includes a dual-fed Mauser 30-mm cannon. This cannon is already used on the Austrian Ulan and Spanish Pizzaro IFVs. It has an effective range of fire of 3 km. The Puma will be armed with an ATGW launcher, however it's type is still unknown. Secondary armament consists of a 5.56-mm machine gun and a 76-mm grenade launcher for a close-range defense.

   The Puma infantry fighting vehicle has a crew of three, while it can accommodate up to eight infantrymen in the rear compartment. Vehicle has an NBC protection system and air conditioning.

   Vehicle is powered by MTU 892 diesel engine, developing a whooping 1 073 horsepower. It is worth mentioning that some of the latest main battle tanks haven't got that much power. Vehicle is not amphibious.