BERLIN, April 30 The German Ministry of Defense intends to purchase 50 Puma infantry fighting vehicles for the needs of the German army, although this model is known for its frequent breakdowns and short-lived service, according to Bild am Sonntag.
“Defense Minister Boris Pistorius wants to buy new Puma. The ministry under his command considers all problems with the infantry fighting vehicle resolved, although back in December all 18 existing vehicles failed during the exercises,” the publication reports, citing sources in the department.
According to Bild, the ministry plans to sign an agreement with defense concerns in the near future for the purchase of 50 infantry fighting vehicles of this model worth 1.5 billion euros and an additional production of 150 vehicles for sale to NATO partners. The ministry plans to receive funds for payment from a special fund for the modernization of the Bundeswehr in the amount of 100 billion euros.
Ministry plans must go through several stages of approval and may be rejected.
Earlier, the defense concern Rheinmetall announced that more than 140 Puma armored fighting vehicles would be upgraded. A year ago, former Defense Minister Christina Lambrecht said that more than half of the 350 Puma infantry fighting vehicles in service with the Bundeswehr were not in combat readiness. In December, after reports of the failure of all 18 participating in the Pum exercises, she did not rule out a complete rejection of further orders for the production of this type of combat vehicles.