Media: Germany to Acquire Additional Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles

The German Armed Forces intend to procure additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles.

Hartpunkt reported on this.

According to their information, this is evident from the draft federal budget for 2025, which they have obtained.

The budget draft includes so-called commitment authorizations totaling approximately €1.5 billion for the years 2028 and 2029.

Previously, the Bundeswehr had reported a need for an additional 61 Puma infantry fighting vehicles to achieve full equipment levels in line with its current force structure, including armored vehicle training schools.

However, observers expect this number to change in the future, as structural adjustments include the formation of new mechanized units and larger formations as part of NATO’s updated goals.

Under certain conditions, Germany could procure additional infantry fighting vehicles within a relatively short time frame based on the existing framework agreement signed in May 2025. This agreement allows for the purchase of up to 229 Puma IFVs in the S1 configuration.

Currently, under this agreement, 50 infantry fighting vehicles (the first batch) have been ordered, with deliveries scheduled from late 2025 through early 2027.

The publication notes that if no further orders are placed for Puma IFVs, KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall, according to current plans, will be forced to shut down the production line after manufacturing the last Puma S1 ordered as part of the second batch in 2027/2028.

“However, according to the budget authorizations for 2028 and 2029, this will not happen, and the production line can continue operating,” Hartpunkt emphasized.

It was also recently revealed that the German Bundeswehr might be preparing for a large-scale purchase of Boxer wheeled infantry fighting vehicles from KNDS Germany.

This involves acquiring equipment, vehicles, and related services totaling around €3.9 billion to equip a newly established force category called the “Medium Forces” (Mittlere Kräfte). These units are intended to provide enhanced mobility and operational agility.