Rolls-Royce secures German Puma propulsion contract

Above: Puma infantry fighting vehicle, developed and manufactured by PSM Project System & Management GmbH, a joint venture of KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. 
Credit: PSM Project System & Management GmbH

Technical advancements ensure that the propulsion system operates reliably under the most demanding conditions. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2028.

Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, said: "This order sends a strong signal of confidence in our technology and our industrial capabilities. It marks another important milestone for Rolls-Royce Power Systems and underlines our role as a reliable partner to the German Armed Forces. At the same time, it demonstrates that we are scaling up in a targeted manner within a growing market – by expanding our production capacities, investing in modern manufacturing and continuing to build up our skilled workforce.”



Above: The mtu PowerPack with the 10V 890 engine being installed in the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. 
Credit: PSM Project System & Management GmbH

The Puma is regarded as the Bundeswehr’s technological flagship. Around 350 vehicles, built by Rheinmetall and KNDS, have been in service since 2013. Knut Müller, Senior Vice President for Government Business at Rolls-Royce, said: “This order is a milestone. The Puma’s powerpack is unique in its compactness and power density – effectively the Formula 1 engine of tank propulsion systems. 

"With the new powerpacks, we are making a significant contribution to the Bundeswehr’s operational readiness and modernisation, whilst at the same time strengthening European defence capabilities through scalable, proven technologies.”

The mtu PowerPack brings together everything that powers the Puma: the 10V 890, a highly compact ten-cylinder engine delivering 800 kilowatts of power and featuring an 11-litre displacement, new power electronics, an optimised cooling system and the RENK HSWL 256 gearbox as the central element of the powertrain and driving dynamics. 

The system is complemented by further integrated subsystems. Another new feature is a coarse dust blower that reliably removes sand and fine particles from the airflow – a decisive advantage in desert regions and rough terrain. 

The mtu PowerPack weighs around 3.5 tonnes – just one-tenth of the total vehicle weight of up to 45 tonnes – and enables the vehicle to operate with agility in all climatic zones.

To meet the growing demand in the defence sector, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is further expanding its production capacity, with new production lines, additional skilled staff and modern facilities.