Extended Ammunition Supply for Puma IFVs

The German Armed Forces have expanded an existing framework contract for 30 mm ammunition to support the operational availability of Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Under the extended agreement, Rheinmetall received a new order worth several hundred million euros, covering additional ammunition deliveries under a contract structure first concluded in 2022.

Framework agreement scaled for higher volumes
The original framework contract, signed in December 2022 between Rheinmetall and the Bundeswehr, covers the supply of 30 mm × 173 ammunition for the Puma IFV and runs through 2029. With the latest extension, the agreed delivery volume and total order value were increased. The framework now provides for the delivery of several hundred thousand cartridges, with an overall contract value of approximately €1 billion. As part of this expansion, a medium six-figure quantity of ammunition was called off, resulting in new order intake amounting to several hundred million euros.

Ammunition supply aligned with Puma fleet expansion
The extended ammunition procurement coincides with recent decisions to reinforce the Puma fleet. The Bundeswehr commissioned joint venture partners Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland to deliver 200 additional Puma IFVs. Each vehicle is equipped with Rheinmetall’s MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon, which uses programmable 30 mm ammunition to address a wide range of operational scenarios.

The MK30-2/ABM system combines a high rate of fire with airburst-capable ammunition programming. With an effective engagement range exceeding 2,000 meters, the weapon system is designed to engage land-based targets, low-flying aerial threats, and maritime targets, supporting the Puma’s role in mechanized infantry operations.




Certified 30 mm ammunition types for operational use
Rheinmetall supplies two certified combat ammunition types for the Puma IFV in the 30 mm × 173 caliber: KE-TF DM21 and KE DM33. Both ammunition types were developed and qualified in accordance with current military standards for safety, performance, and compatibility with the MK30-2/ABM cannon.

The KE-TF DM21 (Kinetic Energy Time Fuse) variant incorporates programmable fuzing, enabling engagement of soft and semi-hard surface targets as well as small aerial targets such as drones. The KE DM33 round provides kinetic energy effects optimized for penetration and precision against hardened targets. Together, these ammunition types support flexible mission profiles while maintaining standardized logistics across the fleet.

Role within Bundeswehr ammunition planning
The contract extension reflects ongoing efforts by the Bundeswehr to replenish ammunition stocks and increase reserve levels amid evolving security requirements. From an industrial perspective, the order reinforces Rheinmetall’s role as a core supplier of medium-caliber ammunition for German land forces, particularly in the 30 mm segment used by modern infantry fighting vehicles.

Within the broader European defense supply landscape, 30 mm × 173 ammunition is a standardized caliber with defined performance benchmarks, allowing procurement decisions to be evaluated against penetration, reliability, and system compatibility criteria rather than platform-specific customization.

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