In a rather grim revelation for German military capabilities, in 2022 the entire fleet of Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) has been sidelined due to a series of technical failures. These failures came to light following a letter from Major General Ruprecht Horst von Butler, of the 10th Panzer Division, reporting a startling drop in combat readiness. “Of the 18 infantry fighting vehicles the сompany started with, combat capability fell to 0 IFVs during the last eight days of training,” Butler writes.
The Puma, a joint project of Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM) – concerns Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall (RLS). A total of 350 units were ordered in 2012, with the Bundeswehr expecting to leverage the Puma’s advanced protection systems, including the Modular Universal System for Actuators and Sensors (MUSS) and its versatile armament which includes a 30mm autocannon, a 5.56 mm HK MG4 machine gun, the Spike ATGM could also be installed on the vehicle.
The shell armor hull can withstand up to 10 kg of mine or IED explosion. The side armor can withstand a 14.5 mm caliber and when equipped with additional protection – 30 mm rounds. Modular additional protection of level C (Combat) covers the front part, turret, bottom, and sides.
Major General von Butler highlighted the fragility of the vehicle’s electronics, specifically citing a serious cable fire in one instance. “Despite all the good preparation, the operational readiness of the vehicle will be a lottery. Unfortunately, I should put it so harshly,”
The highly complex Pumas, which cost €17 million ($18 million) each, took over a decade to develop. Originally green-lit in 2002, the tank was meant to replace the older Marders, which Germany has been using since the 1970s. However, the Puma was plagued with technical issues, including a leaky roof hatch, restricted sight lines for the driver, and electronics issues. When the project was finished in 2015, some of the Pumas remained unusable.
Relevant articles:
– The German military faced massive failures of the Puma IFV systems, mil.in.ua
– Germany faces backlash over reluctance to send tanks to Ukraine, theguardian.com
– The German Army Pumas disaster and the damaged prestige of the German industry, Contando Estrelas, Dec 19, 2022
– Puma tanks unusable: Is Germany’s military unfit for action? – DW – 12, DW, Dec 1, 2022