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A Look Inside Puma, Italy’s Hidden Armor That Quietly Entered Ukraine’s Battlefield
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The Ukrainian military has been spotted operating Italian-made Puma armored personnel carriers (APCs) in both 6×6 and 4×4 configurations—marking another instance of military support from Italy that was not publicly disclosed.
According to Defense Express on August 27, the presence of Puma APCs in Ukraine was confirmed through battlefield imagery, including photos of a destroyed vehicle near Bilohorivka in Luhansk region in April 2024.
Further sightings have shown Ukrainian units operating the vehicles in various capacities.
Originally developed to support Centauro B1 wheeled tanks in Italian cavalry units, the Puma APCs have since been adopted by other infantry formations.
The 4×4 variant accommodates two crew members and two dismounts, while the 6×6 version can carry four additional personnel. Weighing approximately 7 to 8.2 tons depending on the configuration, the vehicles are compact, offering limited transport capacity but increased maneuverability.
Puma APCs are lightly armored, designed to protect against small arms fire. They can be fitted with either 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, including remotely operated weapon stations. Mobility is provided by a turbocharged four-cylinder Iveco diesel engine producing 160 horsepower.
Italy has not officially commented on the delivery of these vehicles to Ukraine. A total of 580 Puma units were produced for the Italian military—250 in the 6×6 version and 330 in the 4×4.
Approximately 115 units were exported to countries such as Argentina, Djibouti, Libya, and Pakistan, leaving around 465 vehicles in Italian inventory, some of which are in storage.
The exact number of vehicles transferred to Ukraine remains unknown. However, their infrequent appearance suggests a limited delivery. Further transfers, potentially including vehicles for Centauro B1 support roles, have not been ruled out.
Earlier, in May 2025, Italy included a third SAMP/T air defense system and 400 M113 armored vehicles in its 11th military aid package to Ukraine. While no press release detailed timelines, previous deliveries suggest the SAMP/T battery could arrive by fall, further strengthening Ukraine’s layered air defense.
