The Bundeswehr has placed a new order with Rheinmetall for 30mm ammunition, valued at several hundred million euros, to supply its Puma infantry fighting vehicle fleet. This procurement falls under an extended framework contract originally signed in December 2022.
That overarching agreement, now extended in both volume and value, governs the supply of several hundred thousand 30mm x 173 calibre cartridges for the Puma until 2029, with a total potential worth of around one billion euros. The latest call-off under this contract represents a medium six-figure quantity of ammunition, reinforcing the German military’s ongoing efforts to replenish and significantly expand its ammunition reserves in response to the current European security landscape.
Rheinmetall is the central supplier of combat ammunition for the Puma’s primary armament, the MK30-2/ABM autocannon. This order underscores the company’s pivotal role, providing two advanced, certified types of ammunition: the programmable KE-TF DM21 and the KE DM33. The MK30-2/ABM system, known for its high rate of fire and a range exceeding 2,000 meters, is designed to engage land, aerial, and maritime targets. The programmable airburst technology of the KE-TF DM21 round is particularly effective against soft-skinned vehicles, infantry positions, and emerging threats like unmanned aerial systems (drones), offering the Puma crew enhanced tactical flexibility.
This substantial ammunition order aligns with broader Bundeswehr initiatives to strengthen its armored capabilities. Recently, the German armed forces also commissioned Rheinmetall and its joint venture partner KNDS Deutschland to produce an additional 200 Puma IFVs. Together, these moves signal a concerted push to enhance both the quantity and the sustained combat readiness of Germany’s premier infantry fighting vehicle platform.
Rheinmetall, a global leader in medium-calibre ammunition manufacturing, highlights that its 30mm ammunition sets worldwide standards for reliability, penetration, and precision. The latest contract not only secures long-term capacity planning for the Düsseldorf-based group but also solidifies its position as the Bundeswehr’s leading systems partner in this critical domain.
