Germany pauses buying Puma tanks after mass breakdown

All 18 tanks on exercises suffer problems in blow to German contribution to January Nato force

The German government has said it will pause purchases of new Puma tanks after a mass breakdown during exercises, lamenting a harsh setback" as Berlin seeks to overhaul its military.

The armoured infantry vehicles - which were supposed to form part of Germany's contribution to a Nato force - suffered problems that left all 18 of those in the exercises unfit for operations.