The German Armed Forces have signed a €4.2 billion ($4.92 billion) contract with the Rheinmetall–KNDS Deutschland joint venture for the procurement of 200 Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The agreement strengthens Germany’s armored infantry capabilities and reinforces the Puma’s role as the Bundeswehr’s primary mechanized combat platform.
Deliveries of the new vehicles are scheduled to begin in mid-2028, with the contract including integration of the MELLS anti-tank guided missile system, the European variant of Rafael’s Spike LR. Produced through a joint venture involving Rafael, Diehl, and Rheinmetall, the missile provides a standard engagement range of up to 4 kilometers, enabling the Puma to defeat armored threats at extended distances.
The newer Spike LR2 variant further enhances lethality, extending the engagement range by an additional 1.5 kilometers and incorporating a tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead. This capability allows the missile to penetrate modern main battle tanks, armored vehicles, and selected maritime targets, while also supporting urban combat operations, including in-structure detonation against fortified positions.
Equipping the Puma with Spike missiles enables beyond-visual-range engagement, significantly improving vehicle survivability. The Puma IFV, operated by a crew of three and capable of carrying six dismounted troops, features modular armor protection, high firepower, and full network integration. In parallel, Germany is modernizing 297 existing Puma vehicles, with upgrades including advanced electro-optical sensors, Spike missile integration, and digital radios, and completion targeted for 2029.
