History[]
The Puma is a German infantry fighting vehicle (Schützenpanzer or short SPZ) designed to replace the aging Marder 1A1 IFVs currently in service with the Bundeswehr. The replacement began in 2010, and is scheduled for completion by 2020. Mass production began on July 6, 2009. The company responsible for the project is PSM Projekt System Management, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The Puma is one of the best-protected IFVs, while still having a high power-to-weight ratio. SAIC offered a derivative of the Puma as its contender in the American GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle program.
In-game[]
The Puma is a fast, light vehicle with moderate protection allowing it to survive 2 shots from most guns. It can travel quickly around the battlefield and does hefty damage to any vehicle if left unchecked, the Puma's frontal armor can absorb HE and HEAT rounds as a result of having moderate and spaced armor although its sides aren't as well protected. The gun can deal an average of 37-50 on most MBTs it faces with its wide assortment of ammunition consisting of AP, APDS, and HE which is surprisingly good in comparison to the BTR-4 which is only restricted to AP and HE only dealing pitiful damage, and for some odd reason, the IFV is given 2 ATGMs despite having no visual ATM launcher visible which allows the Puma to soften up or quickly execute enemies if the autocannon isn't enough. Despite the typical IFV being seen more like a flag capping support tank at this level, the Puma is anything but a support vehicle and is more of a brawler.
Pros and Cons[]
Pros:
- Good top speed
- Surprisingly good protection, especially front wise
- Fast firing gun
- Good damage for an IFV.
- Quick turret rotation
- Low profile
- Equipped with an ATGM despite having no visible launcher.
Cons:
- Requires multiple shots to be put into the enemy vehicle just to whittle down its health
- Poor side and rear protection can cause 300 - 400 damage