Rheinmetall signs 3.1 bln eur German defence deal

DUESSELDORF, Germany, July 6 (Reuters) - Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) has clinched a 3.1 billion euro ($4.35 billion) contract to supply the German army with 405 Puma armoured vehicles, the company said on Monday.

Germany's parliamentary budget committee last month approved the purchase of Puma infantry fighting vehicles, manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall.

They are set to replace the 30-year old Marder vehicles from 2010. The new vehicles offer greater protection against roadside bombs and mines, which pose a strong threat to soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.

Germany has about 3,800 troops in Afghanistan. (Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff, Writing by Michael Shields)