Rheinmetall has confirmed that the German Army (Bundeswehr) has approved a major expansion of its Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle fleet, following the signing of a contract amendment under the Puma program. The agreement, concluded at the Bundeswehr procurement authority BAAINBw in Koblenz, formalizes a large-scale acquisition that will become legally binding in January 2026. Designed to support Germany’s evolving force-structure requirements, the decision ties fleet growth directly to long-term modernization, ensuring the Puma platform remains aligned with emerging battlefield threats and technology cycles well into the next decade.
Under the revised framework, PSM—a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland—has been tasked with delivering 200 Puma IFVs, with initial vehicles scheduled to enter service from mid-2028. The procurement carries a total gross value of €4.2 billion, evenly split between the two industrial partners at €2.1 billion each. In addition to the combat vehicles, the contract also covers protection modules and transport containers, reflecting a procurement approach that integrates operational readiness and sustainment from the outset rather than treating them as follow-on items.
The expansion builds on the existing contractual structure established in May 2023, when BAAINBw awarded PSM a framework contract and placed an initial order for 50 Puma vehicles. Rheinmetall noted that the framework is designed as a rolling modernization program, with a further amendment for the S2 configuration expected around mid-2026. The S2 standard will focus on eliminating obsolescence and introducing new capabilities, including integrated drone defense, reportedly drawing on turret technologies developed for the Jackal armored vehicle, ensuring the Puma remains combat-relevant in increasingly contested environments.
