Rheinmetall to supply laser duel sims for the Puma IFV

Rheinmetall will supply the German Bundeswehr with simulation technology that will enable realistic training of mechanized infantry units equipped with the Puma IFV.  The value of the contract could reach €142 million, including value added tax.

At the end of 2019, Rheinmetall received order to this effect from the consortium responsible for the Puma for the AGDUS duel simulator, which won the Bundeswehr contract on 20 December.

A pre-series of six systems will be developed and integrated. For Rheinmetall, the order value (booked in January 2020) comes to €54 million with VAT.

Once the system is ready for full-scale serial production, an option exists for equipping 252 infantry fighting vehicles. This would see an additional order for Rheinmetall worth around €88 million, including VAT, bringing the total value of the AGDUS contract to around €142 million.

Each AGDUS set comprises laser detectors arrayed around the vehicle. There are also eye-safe lasers capable of simulating the effects of the Puma’s principal weapon systems. This includes the automatic cannon, machinegun and MELLS antitank guided missile. They configure the laser algorithms to assure ballistically exact simulation of shots and hits.

The AGDUS also enables simulation of the Puma IFV’s turret-independent secondary weapon system and the vehicle’s self-defence systems. This allows the execution and evaluation of realistic exercises to take place at the German Army Combat Training Centre and other training facilities.

Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems and Electronics Solutions divisions will bring their respective expertise to bear in completing this order. They will perform most of the work at Group locations in Bremen and Unterlüß.

True to the motto “Train as you fight!”, the AGDUS-equipped Puma IFV will enhance the combat readiness of Germany’s mechanized infantry corps, said Rheinmetall.