General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has received a contract to deliver 225 Pandur 6×6 EVO wheeled armored vehicles to the Austrian military.
The order is part of a 1.2-billion euro ($1.3 billion) framework agreement signed with the company in 2016 for up to 100 Pandur units.
The latest contract, serving as a separate tranche, will supply eight different variants to Vienna’s warfighters.
GDELS wrote that it will include the armored personnel carrier configuration and associated conversion kits for medical, command, and control missions similar to the program’s first tranche.
The new models will incorporate vehicles integrated with 120-millimeter mortar combat systems on top of electronic warfare and mobile air defense variants.
“Today’s procurement decision marks an extraordinary milestone in the history of our PANDUR and underlines the globally unique performance and multi-role capability of this wheeled armored vehicle family,” GDELS President Antonio Bueno said.
“We are fully dedicated and proud to continuing our proven, trusted partnership by providing the Austrian Armed Forces with enhanced military mobility, while at the same time contributing to sustainable macroeconomic added-value together with our many industry partners.”
The Pandur Tactical Vehicle
The Pandur’s standard specifications feature a six-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine for a maximum operational range of 700 kilometers (435 miles) and a speed of up to 105 kilometers (65 miles) per hour.
It weighs 14,500 kilograms (32,000 pounds) and measures 7.4 meters (24 feet) with a payload capacity of 8,500 kilograms (9.4 tons).
The Pandur is commonly equipped with a Bushmaster gun, Cockerill high-pressure gun, Browning heavy machine gun, or Spike anti-tank guided missiles.
Supporting Local Industry
Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner said the acquisition will include 70 percent of its value creation within the country, allowing the program to boost the local economy and secure jobs at more than 220 domestic companies.
GDELS Managing Director Martin Reischer commented on the economic benefits the recently signed contract will provide.
“Since the acquisition of the first batch in 2016, we have persistently been creating and fortifying high added-value for Austria by including more than 200 Austrian subcontractors,” Reischer stated.
“The new fourth batch of 225 PANDUR EVO further contributes to the protected mobility of the Austrian Armed Forces and allows us and our suppliers to hire additional skilled labor and to further invest in our industrial facilities in Austria.”