Puma (AFV)

This article is about the modern Italian armored fighting vehicle Puma. For the modern German infantry fighting vehicle Puma, see Puma (IFV).
Puma

Puma 6x6 with a M2HB machine gun mount
Type Armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin Italy
Service history
In service 2001-
Used by Operators
Production history
Designed 1999
Manufacturer Iveco-Oto Melara
Produced 2001-2004
Number built 250 6x6 and 330 4x4
Specifications
Weight 8.2/7 t
Length 5.07/4.76 m
Width 2.09 m
Height 1.67 m
Crew 2+4/2+2 passengers
Main
armament
 7.62mm, 12.7mm MG or Remote Weapon System
Secondary
armament
 Smoke-grenade launchers
Engine IVECO 4-cylinder turbo-charged diesel
160 hp (118 kW)
Power/weight 22.8 (4x4) hp/tonne
Transmission 5-speed automatic 6x6/4x4
Operational
range
 700 km (435 mi)
Speed 110 km/h

The Puma is a family of Italian light wheeled armoured fighting vehicle family, consisting of the Puma 6x6 and the Puma 4x4. The vehicles were developed and are produced by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara for the Italian Army. First prototypes completed in 1988, with a total of five testbed vehicles being completed by 1990.

The 4x4 variant carries 3 troop members plus the driver, the 6x6 variant carries 6 troops plus driver.[1]

History

Italian Army Puma 4x4

At first the Puma was intended to complement the Centauro wheeled tank destroyer in service with the Italian Army's Cavalry Regiments, but today most infantry regiments of the Italian Army have also been equipped with Pumas.

Eight cavalry regiments and two special forces regiments are equipped with a total of 330 Puma 4x4 vehicles.

250 Puma 6x6 vehicles are in service with the Italian Army Lagunari Regiment “Serenissima”, the “Folgore” Parachutist Brigade, the 66th Air Assault Regiment and the Alpini Regiments.

In Italian service, the 4X4 variant carries two soldiers in addition to the driver and gunner, and is used in pairs for battlefield reconnaissance. The 6X6 version carries four soldiers plus driver and gunner, and together with another Puma 6X6 can carry an entire Italian infantry squad of eight men.

At the end of 1999, the Italian Army ordered 580 Puma vehicles, 250 of the 6x6 configuration, and 330 4x4 vehicles. First vehicles were completed in mid-2003.[2]

In 2007 the Italian Army ordered 19 Hitrole 12.7mm machine gun remote controlled turrets from Oto Melara and is planning to add extra armor to the vehicle.

In March 2013, Italy donated 20 of its Puma 4x4 vehicles to the Libyan National Army to face terrorism threats and reaffirm friendly ties with the former colony.[3]

Operators

Map of Puma AFV operators in blue

Current operators

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.otomelara.it/EN/Common/files/OtoMelara/pdf/business/land/CIO/PUMA.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.army-technology.com/projects/puma/[]
  3. ↑ Libya has received 20 Italian-made Puma wheeled armoured vehicles - Armyrecognition.com, March 3, 2013
  4. ↑ Argentina firma un acuerdo de Cooperación Industrial en Defensa con Italia
  5. ↑ http://www.analisidifesa.it/2013/06/la-grande-svendita-delle-armi-usate-italiane/
  6. ↑ Libya takes delivery of 69 Puma, Nimr Armoured Vehicles
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