Although the Nagmachon was a step forward compared to the Nagmasho't, it was still a stop gap solution to fielding a satisfactory personnel carrier with enough protection to the crew and mounted soldiers. In the already acquainted way of ‘telescopic development' a further carrier was developed using the Centurion chassis.

The result was a sleeker vehicle with a lower silhouette, in effect reducing the silhouette of the vehicle and therefore increasing its survivability. Survivability was further enhanced by using armor of the third generation, which was denser than the previous kinds of armor used.

The resulting vehicle had a major drawback, however as there was no rear entry or exit for the infantry troops. As a result, the mounted troops had to egress over the roof and the top of the hull, exposing the disembarking troops to enemy fire. The risk of exposing the troops was found to be a very important drawback so much that the vehicle was judged unsuited for the APC (armored personnel carrier) role.

At the same time, IDF's Combat Engineer Force, had a requirement for a heavily protected vehicle to support their frontline tasks. It was decided to adapt the new vehicle to their task. The vehicle was named Puma, which is an acronym for Poretz Mokshim Handasati (minefield break through vehicle).

As mentioned, the Puma is a derivative of the ubiquitous Sho't, which in itself is a modified British Centurion main battle tank. Like the Nagmasho't and the Nagmachon, the turret was removed and the ammunition storage was removed. This freed up space for a commander, a gunner and at least five mounted troops. The driver's station remained in place.

The resulting opening in the hull was covered by an armored crew/personnel compartment, which, unlike the Nagmasho't and Nagmachon, spans the full width of the vehicle, including the side armor panels, which double as storage compartments for ammunition. There are three openings in the roof, being the hatches for the commander and the gunner and a large hatch for access and egress for the mounted combat engineers/sappers.

Like all the IDF's tank based carriers, firepower is optimized for use against enemy infantry. Four 7.62mm FN MAG machine guns are fitted. Three are mounted on simple mounts and the fourth on a Rafael Overhead Weapons Station (OWS). The OWS can be fired remotely from under armour and manually with the gunner exposing his upper body.

The Puma equipped with RAFAEL Overhead Weapon Station which is armed with a 7.62mm M240 machine gun. This can be aimed and fired from within the vehicle in complete safety. Both day and night (image intensification) sights are provided. The OWS can be operated electrically from under armor as well as manually. In the latter case, the gunner has to expose him or herself.

Other fittings to the vehicle include an roof mounted 60 mm Soltam infantry mortar and two IS-6 smoke grenade launchers, capable of carrying six CL-3030 smoke grenades each.

The Puma's survivability is based upon an applique armor suite. This consists of reactive armor side-skirts and latest generation passive armor arrays applied to the glacis and other vulnerable points.

The vehicle in its basic form relies on passive armor only. The glacis plate was up-armored by the addition of armor plates, as was the driver's station.

The suspension is protected by bazooka plates, consisting of eight sections each. The four most forward units are armored with Merkava Mk 3, Magach 6B Gal Batash and Magach 7 type riveted armor. The plates are mounted in a manner which is the same as on the Merkava 2B and up.

For easing troops mounting and dismounting from the vehicle, the Puma is equipped with folding steps, situated on the sides of the vehicle above the fifth road wheel (viewed from the front).

Usually around four mine walking shoes are stored on each side of the vehicle, directly behind the folding steps. These shoes allow for a lower ground pressure per square centimeter, which facilitates the walking through mine field.

The Puma enables combat engineers to operate in areas where vehicles with less protection would come to harms way. The prime function of the Puma is to clear routes through heavily defended fire zones, giving armored formations freedom for maneuvers. To make this possible the Puma is equipped to mount the following devices:

•  Nochri track width mine roller kit.
•  Magov track width mine rake.
•  A dozer blade.
•  A glacis mounted ram.
•  Rafael Carpet fuel –air explosive rocket pod for breaching a route through a mine field.
•  Trailer with line charge for breaching a route through a mine field.
•  A rear mounted crane.

After the incident in June 2004, where the Zelda (Toga equipped M113's) didn't provide the necessary protection, these vehicles have been withdrawn as far as possible for use in the territories. In this particular incident, eleven Israeli soldiers lost their lives as a result of an exploding road side bomb. The tasks were taken over by more heavily armored vehicles like the Puma, Nagmachon and the Achzarit.

In a move to adapt the Puma to its new role, it was fitted with a super structure, not unlike the one used by the Nagmachon. Sometimes called the doghouse, this superstructure was placed atop the crew/personnel compartment.

As with the Kasman and the Nagmachon, this doghouse is fitted with vision blocks, firing slots, roof hatches and a rear hatch. This vehicle has only recently shown up. The designation of this vehicle is unknown at the time of writing.

This vehicle also has new armor bricks on the sides of the crew/personnel compartment, which also cover the top part of the bazooka plates. The bazooka plates were also altered and now have so called slat-armor sections. Slat- armor is also used on the Merkava Mk 4, the L-VAS (projected Bazelet) and the American Stryker APC.

A second identified version is a vehicle believed to be called the Puma RAM Judging from the pictures available, this vehicle is used in a manner not unlike the M113 based Hatap (Huliya technit plugatit), most probably being a supporting/maintenance vehicle for Puma equipped units.

The crew compartment has been heightened and its front plate is rearward sloping. The sides of the new crew compartment are fitted with the same (but adjusted) modules as the Modular Hatap.

The Puma RAM is also fitted with a crane on the rear of the vehicle, which seems to be the same as the one sometimes fitted to the rear of regular Pumas. Furthermore a jig over the engine compartment has been installed, meant for carrying a spare power train, like the German Leopard 1 and 2 Armored Recovery Vehicles.