- Yes
- No
General Info
The story of the VBL Puma series of vehicles begins all the way back during the late stages of the cold war, Iveco and Fiat had teamed up, and made as a private venture a set of 3 known vehicles, these would be the AVL 6634. the AVM 6633, and Lastly the AVH 6636. The AVL would specifically be the precursor to the Italian Puma. However, even though testing had shown that the vehicle not only could mount several weapon types if needed, such as a dual Milan launcher, it ultimately never got picked up by the Italian army. However to not let their work go to waste Iveco had continued to refine the design, and would finally come out with the Puma 4x4. The Puma 4x4 and Puma 6x6 are Italian light armored wheeled vehicles, the main reason it was adopted, was to allow the Puma to work together with the Centauro tank destroyer, however the vehicle was popular enough that even infantry divisions started getting equipped with it. The prototype versions which im suggesting are extremely similar to the production models, only design really being the main difference.The first batch of vehicles for Italy came in 2003, in which they were promptly put into service in the Italian armed forces. They ordered 330 4x4 variants of the vehicle and 250 of the 6x6 variants. The vehicle is made in such a way that adding more weapons is easy, thus creating multiple variants such as the Anti-Tank and Anti-Air. For the anti tank sector it can be equipped with up to 12 TOW ATGMS, and the Italian army has come out and stated that the production models can also use Milan ATGM’s, no pictures have been found in that configuration, but its likely similar to the TOW version. For anti air sector, its said it can be equipped with a light SAM launcher, Matra Mistrals or Stinger seem to be the likely ones, however finding info or pictures regarding this variant has not been too successful. There also is a Medi-vac configuration making the vehicle incredibly versatile in terms of what it can do. In terms of mobility, The Puma vehicles are powered by an Iveco 8042 TCA ,this allows the Puma to reach speeds up to 110km an hour. According to the CIO website,The Puma is equipped with air-conditioning, heating, a pressurized NBC system, an engine compartment fire protection system (both automatic and manual) and a winch for self-recovery (electric on the 4x4 and hydraulic on the 6x6). The 4x4 PUMA carries four and the 6x6 carries seven personnel (including driver). The prototype version of the Puma im suggesting would use the same smoke discharges present on the B1 Centauro or first Arietes. Later down the line, production vehicles would have 2 rows of three Galix smoke dischargers. The Italian production Pumas have an extensive service record, the Puma has partook in multiple peacekeeping and counter terrorism missions. For peacekeeping its been particularly been used in the Italian UN contingent, such as in Lebanon. For counter terrorism it has been used in places such as Afghanistan and a patrol and troop transport vehicle. It has also been exported to places such as Pakistan, who also use it for UN peacekeeping missions. Libya seems to be the one of the countries with a decent fleet in service. Italy was kind enough to donate 20 of them for use in counter terrorism, Libya decided covert a few of them and equip them with Russian made SA-6 Rockets. Other notable nations who use the VBL Puma are Djibouti and Argentina. (note-The Puma 6x6 is just slightly bigger than the 4x4, everything else it has pretty much can be added to the 4x4)
Armament+Equipment
TOW ATGM
Specifications
Spoiler
Why it should be in game
I believe this vehicle should be added as they’ll make a fine addition in the Italian tech tree, either by making multiple separate vehicles dedicated towards their variant or making 1-2 vehicles with a set amount of upgrades that make them unique. These vehicles are mass produced around Italy and since one of their tasks was to pair up with a centauro tank destroyer it’ll be great seeing them side by side. Just going off by their armaments they can prove themselves to be powerful inside of the regular tech tree, for example the 4X4 Puma with the Tow launcher could become the next step after the M113 Tow in the tech tree. Or (Although Italy has many AA) have an AA version with the mistrals or the Milan missiles, or perhaps adding one with the grenade launcher.
Sources
Spoiler
Iveco Fiat PUMA Brochure
VBL Puma ‘‘usage and maintainment’’ manual
Several Puma 4x4 and 6x6 manuals
CENTAURO PUMA Family
https://www.armyrecognition.com/italian_army_italy_wheeled_and_armoured_vehicle_uk/puma_4x4_iveco_oto_melara_armoured_personnel_carrier_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures.html
Puma (Italian armoured fighting vehicle) - Wikipedia
HITROLE® Light
Aerospace, Defence and Security
https://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2013_news_defence_army_military_industry_uk/libya_has_received_20_italian-made_puma_wheeled_armoured_vehicles_personnel_carrier_italy_0303131.html
VBL Puma - Militarypedia
Tank Encyclopedia - The Online Tank Museum
Blindo Puma
http://www.military-today.com/apc/puma.htm
Army Guide
Photos
