U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), visited foreign partners in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Aug. 3, 2022, to hand over 24 Puma Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at the ATMIS Headquarters. Staff Sgt. Dallin Wrye, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (Djibouti), reports.
The donation from the U.S. will help increase ATMIS capabilities in the fight against terrorism and those who seek to undermine the security and stability of Somalia. “To support ATMIS Djiboutian contingency’s efforts in the fight against terrorism with our Somali partners, the United States is providing the 24 PUMA Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Harris Radio communication equipment to enable more frequent patrols, and transportation,” Shawley said. “The United States is also providing training in the effective usage of the APCs.”
Puma M26-15 4×4
The Puma M26-15 4×4 is an armored personnel carrier (APC) with mine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection. The main users are military, police and security companies during peacekeeping operations. The Puma M26 was designed by OTT Technologies, a South African firm linked to DynCorp International. It is manufactured in South Africa and Mozambique.
The main design parameter was to develop a lower-cost and robust mine-protected vehicle without compromising crew safety and quality, a vehicle that can be deployed successfully and safely in the harsh environments of Africa and other developing regions. The M26-15 with a crew complement of ten (driver and commander plus 8) is a Tata 715TC 4×4 driveline, making it a robust and easy-to-maintain mine-protected vehicle with a low life-cycle cost.
The eight-ton GVM M26-15 has a sustained road speed of 80 km/h, double-lane change capability of 70 km/h, a gradient of 60%, and a side-slope capability of more than 25°. Wide windows ensure a good situational awareness, while eleven shooting ports plus two roof hatches and a 360° cupola with a pintle mount for a light machine gun ensures quick and furious retaliation from the crew in case of an ambush.