Profile
- Type
- Combat engineering vehicle
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Origin
- Israel
- Service note
- 1980s-present
Armored Vehicles
Puma armored engineering vehicle
The Puma is an Israeli heavy combat engineering vehicle on a Centurion/Sho't hull, built to move combat engineers under armor while breaching obstacles and clearing routes. During the Israel-Hamas War, IDF engineering units used it in Gaza operations, including a Khan Yunis incident documented by the IDF and Israeli press.
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Built by
- IDF Ordnance
- Built in
- Israel
Service History
- In service
- Entered IDF service in 1984 and later remained in combat engineering use alongside newer Namer-based vehicles.
- Used by
- Israel Defense Forces Combat Engineering Corps
- Wars
- Israel-Hamas War
Production History
- Designer
- Israel Military Industries
- Designed
- 1980s
- Built by
- IDF Ordnance
- Built in
- Israel
- Variants
- Puma with CARPET mine-clearing system, Puma with mine roller or dozer blade, Puma with Draconith remote weapon station
Specifications
- Crew
- Up to 8 combat engineer troops
- Armament
- Three 7.62 mm MAG machine guns; some vehicles later received a 12.7 mm M2HB on a Rafael OWS
- Mobility
- 900 hp diesel engine and about 45 km/h road speed
- Protection
- Centurion/Sho't hull with modular applique armor and smoke grenade dischargers
Conflict Usage
- Israel-Hamas War
- Side: IsraelRole: Combat engineering protected mobility
In the Israel-Hamas War, the IDF said a Puma vehicle was used by the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion in Khan Yunis during operations against terror targets, tunnels, and shafts, and that an explosive device was attached to the vehicle.
Puma armored engineering vehicle Images
Related Weapon Systems
Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozerArmored bulldozerThe Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer is an IDF combat engineering vehicle adapted from Caterpillar's large dozer platform and documented in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War for route clearing, rubble removal, and terrain shaping under fire.
NamerHeavy armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicleThe Namer is Israel's Merkava-based heavy APC/IFV, built to move infantry under armor and keep crews alive in urban combat; IDF Namers were deployed in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War.Weaponized civilian bulldozer or front loaderCombat engineering bulldozer/front loaderCivilian bulldozers and front loaders, especially Caterpillar D9-class machines, were adapted for Israeli combat engineering in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War. The vehicles were used to clear routes, remove obstacles, and level or demolish terrain, turning ordinary earthmoving equipment into front-line battlefield engineering assets.
BRM-1KTracked armored reconnaissance vehicleThe BRM-1K is a Soviet tracked armored reconnaissance vehicle derived from the BMP-1 chassis, combining amphibious mobility with surveillance equipment and a reduced 73 mm armament. In the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict it appears in Armenian/Artsakh service as a visually documented reconnaissance vehicle loss category during the 2020 war.
Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocketFuel-air mine-clearing rocket systemCarpet is Rafael's fuel-air mine-clearing rocket system, built to open lanes through mines and improvised explosive hazards by firing a rapid rocket salvo. During the Israel-Hamas War, the IDF used Carpet-mounted Puma engineer vehicles in Gaza for route clearance and breaching work.
FV430 BulldogTracked armored personnel carrierThe FV430 Bulldog is the upgraded Mark 3 form of Britain's FV432 tracked armored personnel carrier, modernized with a diesel powerpack, automatic transmission, and improved protection for infantry transport and support roles. In the Russia-Ukraine War, the type is documented in UK military aid as part of a broader package of armored and protected vehicles for Ukrainian forces.Sources
Weaponsystems.net PumaPublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports Puma background and specs: Israeli combat engineer vehicle based on the Sho't/Centurion chassis, with crew, armament, mobility, and protection details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IDF Olim al BetPublisher: Israel Defense Forces | Note: Supports background on Puma service with the IDF Combat Engineering Corps and its role in breaching territory. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Military Factory Puma CEVPublisher: Military Factory | Note: Supports Puma manufacturer and production background: designed by Israel Military Industries and produced under the IDF Ordnance label. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IDF June 25, 2025 BriefingPublisher: Israel Defense Forces | Note: Supports Israel-Hamas War direct-use context: used by the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion in Khan Yunis during Gaza operations, when an explosive device was attached to the armored Puma vehicle. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Times of Israel Khan Younis reportPublisher: The Times of Israel | Note: Supports Israel-Hamas War direct-use reporting: used by the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion in Khan Yunis when a bomb was thrown inside the Puma armored combat engineering vehicle. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons IDF-Puma-by-Zachi-EvenorPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the primary Puma vehicle photo by Zachi Evenor. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons CARPET-Puma001Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the Puma with CARPET mine-clearing rockets. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons Draconith-RCWS-02Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the Puma with a Draconith remote weapon station. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Wikimedia Commons PumaAPC01Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the Puma training photograph of the 601 Battalion of the Israel Engineering Corps. | Accessed: 2026-06-20