Puma (AFV)

Puma ( 4 × 4 ) of the Oto Melara and Iveco companies.

Puma is the name of an Italian scout or armored transport vehicle ( Veicolo blindato Leggero VBL ). It was developed together with the Centauro wheeled tank in the 1980s by a consortium consisting of Oto Melara and Iveco for the Italian army. The end of 1999 Italy ordered a total of 580 of these light armored vehicles in versions 4 × 4 (330 Spähpanzer; supplement to the Centauro wheeled tank ) and 6 × 6 (250 Armoured Personnel Carrier ). Originally, the "Puma" should be put into service at the beginning of the 1990s, but it was due to financial problems in a significant delay of the program.

After about ten years the military service in combat units, the Cougar armored vehicles were gradually replaced by new Iveco LMV and delivered to support associations. Some of the vehicles went from 2013 also to the armed forces of Libya.

Specifications

Cougar 6 × 6

  • Manufacturer: Iveco Oto Melara
  • Length: 5.07 m
  • Width: 2.3 m
  • Height: 1.68 m
  • Weight: 8,2 t
  • Drive: Iveco, 180 hp (132 kW)
  • Speed: 110 km / h
  • Range: 600 km
  • Armament: 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, TOW anti-tank missiles
  • Crew: 1 6 man
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