Military Vehicles Forecast
Puma (Type 6634 AVL)
Outlook
• Italian Army completed 580-vehicle initial procurement
in 2004; status of potential follow-on orders uncertain
• Puma possesses only minimal modernization potential
• Production forecast reflects contractor's expectations of
minor follow-on procurement for the Italian Army as
well as possible export sales
Orientation
Description. A wheeled armored vehicle. Total Produced. Through 2013, we estimate the
prime contractor produced 591 Puma vehicles.
Sponsor. Iveco Defence Vehicles Division (formerly
the Iveco Fiat-Oto Melara consortium) developed the Application. A light, multirole wheeled armored
Type 6634 AVL Puma as a private venture. vehicle, optimized for the scout/reconnaissance mission.
The Italian Ministry of Defense, through the Italian Price Range. In 2013 U.S. dollars, the Italian Army
Army, sponsors further development and Italian Army 6x6 Puma VBL would reportedly carry a unit price of
procurement of the Puma. about $330,000.
Licensees. None.
Status. Development through serial production.
Contractors
Prime
Iveco SpA Defence Vehicles http://www.iveco.com, Via Volta 6, Bolzano, 39100 Italy, Tel: + 39 0471 905111,
Division Fax: + 39 0471 905444, Email: dvdbzcom@iveco.com, Prime
Subcontractor
Honsel/VVG France http://www.honsel.com, 20 rue du Lhotaud, Frasne, 25560 France,
(Fonderie Lorraire SAS) Tel: + 33 3 81 49 89 46, Fax: + 33 3 81 49 89 47, Email: contact@honsel.fr
(Combined Telescopic Strut)
Michelin http://www.michelin.com, Place des Carmes Dechaux, Clermont-Ferrand,
63040 Cedex 9, France, Fax: + 33 1 45 66 15 53 (11.00x16 Run-Flat Tires)
Oto Melara SpA http://www.otomelara.it, Via Valdilocchi 15, La Spezia, 19136 Italy,
Tel: + 39 0187 5811 11, Fax: + 39 0187 58266, Email: press-office@otomelara.it
(Otobreda 6634 AVL Puma Turret)
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Page 2 Military Vehicles Forecast
Puma (Type 6634 AVL)
Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG http://www.zf.com, Graf von Soden Platz 1, Friedrichshafen, 88046 Germany,
Tel: + 49 07541 77 0, Fax: + 49 07541 77 908000, Email: postoffice@zf.com
(4 HP 22 Automatic Gearbox)
Comprehensive information on Contractors can be found in Forecast International's "International Contractors" series. For a detailed description,
go to www.forecastinternational.com (see Products & Services/Governments & Industries) or call + 1 (203) 426-0800.
Contractors are invited to submit updated information to Editor, International Contractors, Forecast International, 22 Commerce Road, Newtown,
CT 06470, USA; rich.pettibone@forecast1.com
Technical Data
Crew. Three: driver, gunner, and commander. The Armor. Monocoque-construction hull of steel alloy,
vehicle can also carry five infantrymen. providing protection against 7.62mm armor-piercing
projectiles and ballistic fragments. Appliqué armor kits
Configuration. 4x4 and 6x6.
are also available.
Dimensions. The following data are for the production-standard 4x4 vehicle. Height is to the top of the hull. Data
for the 6x6 version are in parentheses where different.
SI Units U.S. Units
Length 4.65 (5) m 15.26 (16.40) ft
Width 2.08 (2.30) m 6.82 (7.54) ft
Height 1.67 (1.70) m 5.48 (5.58) ft
Combat weight 5.50 (7.50) tonnes 6.06 (8.27) tons
Fuel capacity 150 (270) liters 39.89 (71.81) gal
Performance. The speed and range data reflect use on a paved road.
SI Units U.S. Units
Maximum speed 105 kmph 65.20 mph
Maximum range 800 (960) km 496.80 (596.20) stat mi
Step 40 cm 1.31 ft
Trench 60 cm 1.97 ft
Slope 30% 30%
Gradient 60% 60%
Fording 1.20 m 3.94 ft
Engine. Fiat 8140 TCA four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, combined telescopic strut on top and transverse
supercharged diesel engine. This powerplant generates links/torsion bars on the bottom. The vehicle mounts
134.28 kilowatts (180 hp), with a power-to-weight ratio Michelin 11.00x16 run-flat tires.
of 24.40 kilowatts/tonne (29.70 hp/ton) in the 4x4
Armament. The basic vehicle design can
configuration and 17.90 kilowatts/tonne (21.77 hp/ton)
accommodate a variety of armament options, including
in the 6x6 configuration. The 24-volt electrical system
7.62mm machine guns, an 81mm mortar, and the
features two 12-volt/100-ampere-hour batteries.
MILAN anti-tank guided missile system. Three
Gearbox. Reco automatic gearbox, with one reverse electrically operated smoke grenade launchers mount on
and five forward gear ratios. Preproduction vehicles each side of the hull, to the rear.
featured a Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen 4 HP 22
The initial Italian Army configuration mounts a
automatic gearbox, with one reverse and four forward
12.7x99mm (.50 cal) M2HB machine gun in an
gear ratios. The drivetrain features a two-speed transfer
Otobreda turret.
case.
Suspension and Running Gear. Independently
sprung suspension system, featuring a Messier
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Military Vehicles Forecast Page 3
Puma (Type 6634 AVL)
Variants/Upgrades
Variants. Iveco is developing the following variants from the basic Type 6634 AVL Puma 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles:
Designation Description
Puma Basic 4x4 or 6x6 light armored vehicle. See Technical Data, above.
Anti-Tank MBDA (Euromissile) MILAN anti-tank guided missile system or BGM-71 TOW system.
Anti-Aircraft Mistral anti-aircraft missile system.
Mortar Carrier Turntable-mounted 81mm mortar and a crew of four.
Command Post Communications equipment and a crew of five.
Ambulance Unarmed. Crew of two, plus two stretchers.
Other Variants Additional designs could mount RBS70 and Blowpipe/Javelin anti-aircraft missiles, the 106mm
M40 recoilless rifle, and several types of turrets with up to a 20mm cannon.
Modernization and Retrofit Overview. Not applicable at this time.
4x4 Puma VBL
Source: Italian Army
Program Review
Background. In 1984, Iveco Fiat announced that it Italian Army Puma VBL
was developing a new range of light armored vehicles.
To keep costs down and offer vehicles of high Following evaluations of the two Type 6634 Armored
reliability, the contractor used proven commercial Vehicle Light prototypes, Iveco Fiat completed three
components wherever possible. The new family of prototypes of the Type 6634 Puma in 1989.
vehicles consisted of the following: Operational testing of the Puma ran into 1996. In
• 4x4 Type 6634 Armored Vehicle Light January 2000, the Italian Army placed an initial order
for 600 Puma VBLs (Veicolo Blindato Leggero) – 350
• 4x4 Type 6633 Armored Vehicle Medium in the 4x4 configuration and 250 in the 6x6
configuration.
• 6x6 Type 6636 Armored Vehicle Heavy
Description. The vehicle exhibits a basic design that
By 1988, Iveco Fiat had terminated the Type 6633 and
emphasizes reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of
Type 6636; the contractor concentrated on developing
operation.
the Type 6634 for an Italian Army requirement.
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Page 4 Military Vehicles Forecast
Puma (Type 6634 AVL)
Simple & Reliable and a firing port in the bottom portion. The troop
compartment occupies the rear of the vehicle, providing
The driver sits at the left-front of the vehicle; the engine individual seats for five infantrymen. Two rectangular
compartment occupies the right-front, behind a fireproof roof hatches provide secondary access/egress for the
bulkhead. The driver's station features a single-piece troop compartment.
hatch cover that opens to the right, as well as a
periscope and vision blocks. Limits on Italian Procurement
A cupola mounts at the center of the vehicle roof. The The Italian Army originally held a procurement
cupola features a single-piece hatch cover and objective of 2,000 Puma vehicles, in both the 4x4 and
periscopes affording all-around vision. On the Italian 6x6 configurations. However, fiscal constraints forced
Army vehicles, the cupola also features a pintle- the Army to reduce the objective to 580 units. Iveco
mounted M2HB machine gun. reportedly completed this truncated production run in
2004, as scheduled. The Forecast International Weapons
Each side of the vehicle features a forward-opening
Group expects the Italian Army will place at least one
two-piece door with a vision block in its upper portion
follow-on order during the forecast period.
6x6 Puma VBL
Source: Italian Army
Related News
Djibouti Armed Forces Parade New Armor – The Djibouti armed forces displayed their newly acquired
M109 self-propelled howitzers and Iveco 4x4 Puma armored personnel carriers (APCs) for the first time during the
country's Independence Day celebrations held on June 27.
Earlier in June, the Djibouti Air Force had taken delivery of a new Modern Ark (MA) 60 twin-turboprop transport
aircraft from Chinese aircraft manufacturer Xi'an Aircraft Corp (XAC).
All the new additions to the armed forces will help beef up defense capabilities against regional militant groups,
such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia, and maritime piracy in the Indian Ocean. (FI, 7/14)
Italian Army Procurement Sustains Centauro VBM Freccia Production – Serial production of the
VBM Freccia is clearly now the center of gravity for the Centauro program. In 2007, Iveco commenced low-rate
initial production of Centauro VBM vehicles. In 2009, the Italian Army reportedly accepted the first 54 Centauro
VBMs into service. In June 2010, the Italian Army deployed 17 Centauro VBM Freccias to Afghanistan.
The Forecast International Weapons Group expects Italian Army procurement will exceed 600 Centauro
VBM Freccias through 2023. A major Italian Army procurement could translate into significant export sales of this
adaptable armored vehicle line.
In December 2010, Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa announced that Russia had expressed an interest in
the B1 Centauro and the Centauro VBM Freccia. Iveco delivered two B1 Centauro vehicles and two Centauro VBM
September 2014
Military Vehicles Forecast Page 5
Puma (Type 6634 AVL)
Freccia vehicles to Russia for testing in 2011. However, in January 2013, the commander in chief of the Russian
Ground Troops publicly stated that Russia will not purchase Italian-made Centauro wheeled vehicles.
In May 2012, the Colombian Ministry of Defense announced a "renewed interest" in the Centauro VBM Freccia. To
date, FI has no evidence this Colombian interest has translated into any procurement contracts. (FI, 7/14)
Market Intelligence Service Subscribers: For additional news, go to the on-line E-Market Alert page located in the Intelligence Center at
www.forecastinternational.com and click on the links to the products you subscribe to.
Funding
The consortium of Iveco Fiat and Oto Melara (now Iveco Defence Vehicles Division) originally funded the Puma as
a private venture. The Italian Ministry of Defense, through the Italian Army, funds the development and Italian
Army procurement of this vehicle.
Timetable
Month Year Major Development
Late 1987 Development for Italian Army Type 6634 requirement
Aug 1990 Consortium completes six prototype vehicles
Jan 2000 Italian Army places production order
2004 Initial Italian Army production run complete
2014 Production line available for new orders; development and marketing continue
Worldwide Distribution/Inventories
Export Potential. Italy has experienced a moderate level of success on the international market with its earlier
light wheeled vehicles, such as the Type 6614 and Type 6616. With the aid of Italian Army procurement, the
Type 6634 Puma could attract a moderate level of export sales in Italy's traditional market sphere of northern Africa
and portions of the Middle East.
Countries. Italy (11 prototypes and 560 production vehicles), Djibouti (6 vehicles), Libya (20 vehicles).
Forecast Rationale
The Puma (Type 6634 AVL) production line remains Nevertheless, in the event further acquisitions become
dormant, following the completion in 2004 of the Italian financially plausible, the Italian Army may yet attempt
Army's initial 580-vehicle order. to pursue at least one follow-on order of Puma vehicles
during the forecast period in order to buttress the
Economic Challenges long-term operational readiness of the service's wheeled
In 2001, the Italian Army held a total procurement armored vehicle fleet.
objective of 2,000 Puma vehicles, in both 4x4 and 6x6
Limited Export Prospects
configurations. However, fiscal constraints and
economic realities eventually forced the Army to reduce In February 2013, the Italian Army donated 20 Puma
its objective to 580 units. vehicles to the Libyan Army. The donated vehicles
comprise one part of a broader defense and cooperation
With both Italy and the broader eurozone still struggling
plan between the Italian and post-Qadhafi Libyan armed
to cope with the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis
services.
and the impact of economic austerity measures, the
future of Italian Puma procurement is highly uncertain. The donation was intended to signify Italy's dedication
Indeed, Italy's recent transfer of portions of its Puma to the development and security of the post-Qadhafi
vehicle stocks to the armed forces of Libya and Djibouti Libyan state, and to increase the operational capabilities
cast some doubt upon the prospect of renewed Puma of the national Libyan Army so that it can better cope
procurement by the Italian Army within the forecast with the ongoing challenges of post-revolutionary civil
period. instability.
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Page 6 Military Vehicles Forecast
Puma (Type 6634 AVL)
In 2013, Djibouti acquired an unspecified quantity of Puma remains heavily restrained by the contraction of
Puma 4x4 vehicles. It remains uncertain as to whether defense budgets and implementation of domestic
the vehicles were purchased or donated, but reports austerity measures across the European continent.
suggest that in either case the vehicles were likely
As a result, the Puma's strongest opportunities for
drawn from Italian Army stocks.
export sales during the forecast period are likely to lie in
Evidence from a 2014 military parade in Djibouti the Middle Eastern, African, and South American
indicates that the country operates at least six Puma 4x4 defense markets.
vehicles. However, the overall market potential of the
Ten-Year Outlook
ESTIMATED CALENDAR YEAR UNIT PRODUCTION
Designation or Program High Confidence Good Confidence Speculative
Thru 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total
Iveco SpA Defence Vehicles Division
Puma Type 6634 AVL
591 18 25 28 23 22 0 0 0 0 0 116
Total 591 18 25 28 23 22 0 0 0 0 0 116
September 2014
