puma 6x6

The Iveco Puma 6x6 is a light armored vehicle developed by Italy, primarily designed for reconnaissance, patrol, and personnel transport missions. It offers protection against small arms fire and mines, and can be equipped with various weapon systems.

Developed in the late 1980s by the Iveco Fiat-Oto Melara Consortium, the Puma 6x6 was conceived to complement the Centauro tank destroyer and equip the Italian Army's rapid reaction brigades with a highly mobile, air-transportable platform. The vehicle officially entered service with the Italian Army in 2001, with over 300 of the 6x6 variant produced to serve alongside its smaller 4x4 counterpart. It subsequently saw extensive operational deployment during multinational peacekeeping and stabilization missions in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Although vulnerability to improvised explosive devices led to its gradual replacement in frontline Italian service by newer armored vehicles like the Lince, surplus units have been transferred to partner nations like Libya and Djibouti, where they remain active.