Knut Peters
Spokesman
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG
Krauss-Maffei-Str. 11
D-80997 München
Tel.: +49 89 8140-4521
Fax: +49 89 8140-4977
E-Mail: knds-pressservice (at) knds.de
Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, has signed a contract with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) to retrofit 154 PUMA infantry fighting vehicles in service with the Bundeswehr. The contract also covers logistical services such as special tools and replacement parts as well as the design of additional capability upgrades. The contract is worth more than €1 billion.
In addition, further options amounting to €820 million were agreed to upgrade the remaining 143 Puma infantry fighting vehicles by 2029.
The retrofitting of the first 154 vehicles will take place in the core capabilities of firepower and command & control. They will thus be brought up to the modern standard that has already been tested for the 40 PUMA vehicles that will be deployed in NATO’s VJTF rapid response force from 2023. The measures include in particular:
With the upgraded PUMA infantry fighting vehicles, the Bundeswehr will then have a fully digital and networked weapon system that has already impressively demonstrated its decisive value in all tactical investigations and in realistic combat scenarios.
Knut Peters
Spokesman
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG
Krauss-Maffei-Str. 11
D-80997 München
Tel.: +49 89 8140-4521
Fax: +49 89 8140-4977
E-Mail: knds-pressservice (at) knds.de
KNDS (KMW+NEXTER Defense Systems) is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.
KNDS forms a Group of around 9,000 employees, with a 2022 turnover of 3.2 billion euro, an order backlog of around 11 billion euro and incoming orders of 3.4 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment.
The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The strategic alliance between KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. In addition, it offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.
KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.