Germany orders simulators for Puma IFVs

The Bundeswehr has ordered 258 sets of AGDUS systems for its Puma IFVs following successful integration tests. (PSM GmbH)

The Bundeswehr is receiving new training simulators for its Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).

In total, 258 sets of Training Device, Duel Simulator (Ausbildungsgerät Duellsimulator: AGDUS) systems are being delivered for the Puma IFVs by the end of 2026, the Bundeswehr announced on 15 April.

The EUR109 million (USD116 million) contract will be financed from the EUR100 billion Bundeswehr special fund.

A Rheinmetall/Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) consortium received an order from the Bundeswehr in December 2019 valued at EUR54 million for the provision of six AGDUS systems for integration tests on the Puma. Full-scale serial production of AGDUS would then begin once testing was complete, with up to 252 Puma IFVs being equipped with the systems for EUR88 million.

A Rheinmetall spokesperson confirmed to Janes that the company, along with KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) Germany, are supplying the new AGDUS simulators to the Bundeswehr and that full-scale production has now officially begun.

AGDUS is a laser-based training device used to enable realistic combat training through simulated weapon effects. The system is used in the Army Combat Training Center, firing training centres, and where the Puma IFVs are located.

Each set of the Puma AGDUS comprises a two-way laser detector array and eye-safe laser transmitters that can simulate the effects of the vehicle's primary weapons: a 30 mm cannon; a co-axial machine gun; and the Rafael Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile.

AGDUS can also simulate the vehicle's self-defence systems and the turret-independent secondary weapon system (turmunabhängigen Sekundärwaffenanlage: TSWA) – an unmanned weapon station on the rear of the vehicle controlled remotely from inside the crew compartment.