Puma infantry fighting vehicles have been authorized for use by the German Army following months of iextensive testing, the vehicle's program manager PSM said.

PSM, a joint venture by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co KG and Rheinmetall Landsysteme, said deployment approval was given by BAAINBw, the country's defense procurement agency.

Puma infantry fighting vehicles are designed to replace the Marder vehicles now in service. They weigh nearly 35 tons and have a maximum speed of about 43.5 miles per hour.

PSM said that with approval, operations will begin this week to train instructors on the vehicle using the first seven armored vehicles produced. The training period will continue until the end of the year at a center in Munster, where an organization was established for initial training of mechanized infantry companies on the PUMA.

The center will also accept delivery of the vehicles by the manufacturer. Army furnished equipment will be added before they are handed over to soldiers.

"The contracts necessary for the repair and technical and logistical support have been concluded between the army and the PSM GmbH, so the support of the PUMA by industry is thus ensured," the company said.