

During the trials, the temperature profiles inside the vehicle were measured, then compared to the ambient temperature. Trials included suitability for hot weather operations, firing and driving maneuvers in desert conditions, as well as firepower and mobility evaluations. In August 2013, two Pumas were airlifted to the United Arab Emirates for hot weather tests. The Puma successfully completed cold tests in Norway in 2012. On 6 December 2010, the first two serial vehicles were handed over to the German Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung. Examples of these are the American GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle, the British FRES and the German-Dutch Boxer MRAV. Other nations pursue similar developments emphasizing commonality, modularity and rapid deployability based on a comparable doctrine which was also a subject of discussion within NATO. On 8 November 2007, a budget of €3 billion to acquire 405 Pumas (excluding the five Pumas that had already been delivered to the German Army for trials) was agreed upon. That same year, the German Army ( Heer) placed an order for the delivery of five pre-production vehicles and their logistics and training services at the end of 2004. Planning for the Puma as the successor of the Marder began in 2002. The lessons learned were incorporated into the new tactical concept named neuer Schützenpanzer ("new IFV") in 1998. Its aim was to collect ideas for a common base vehicle that could be used for a variety of tasks including that of the APC, IFV, air defense and replacing and assisting the MBT in the frontline combat role. The Puma (formerly also named Igel (hedgehog) and Panther) started as a follow-up project to the German 1996 "NGP" project ( Neue Gepanzerte Plattformen, "New Armored Platforms").
