The Bundeskartellamt has granted approval for the expansion of an existing joint venture between Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. This joint venture, known as PSM Projekt System & Management GmbH, was originally established to manage the delivery of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

The current organizational structure of PSM will now be utilized for a new contract from the Bundeswehr to develop and deliver a new battle tank. This new tank is intended as an interim solution until a new main battle tank, developed in collaboration with France, is expected to be delivered around 2045.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, stated that the competitive assessment considered that neither company would have been able to meet the project requirements independently. Furthermore, no adverse effects on competition are anticipated beyond this specific project.

The Bundeswehr has specific requirements for the necessary weapon systems that can only be met through the collaboration of both companies, ensuring that the Bundeswehr can receive the first vehicles within a few years.