TSAMTO, September 8. The Austrian Ministry of Defense announced the transfer of the country's Armed Forces of the 50th armored vehicle "Pandur Evolution" (Pandur Evolution - EVO) with a 6x6 wheel formula.
The ceremony took place at the General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr (GDELS-Steyr) company in Vienna in the presence of Austrian Defense Minister Claudia Tanner.
As part of the event, the Minister said that in total, contracts have been signed for the supply of 100 armored personnel carriers to the Austrian Armed Forces, which will guarantee high protection and mobility to military personnel. In addition, the production of machinery provides job creation in Austria.
As reported by TSAMTO, in the period 1994-1995, the Austrian armed Forces adopted a total of 71 BBM "Pandur" manufactured by Steyr-Daimler-Puch, which later became part of General Dynamics. The equipment was supplied in versions of an armored personnel carrier and an ambulance.
In December 2016, the Austrian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems worth 105 million euros for the supply of 34 new armored fighting vehicles "Pandur EVO" with a 6x6 wheel formula, the delivery of which began in 2018. All 34 "Pandur EVO" under this contract were delivered to the Austrian Armed Forces by 2020.
In January 2021, the Austrian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr worth 106 million euros for the supply of 30 more Pandur EVO armored vehicles. These BBMs will be transferred to the Austrian Armed Forces by 2023.
According to the Austrian Defense Ministry, another 36 vehicles should be delivered by 2025. There is no information yet about when the contract for their supply was concluded.
The total cost is 100 units. "Pandur EVO" is about 356 million euros. This amount includes logistics support, spare parts and tool kits. In total, more than 200 Austrian supplier companies participate in the Pandur EVO project.
"Pandur EVO" is a further development of "Pandur A2". The maximum combat weight of the "Pandur EVO" is 18.6 tons. The EVO differs from the previous version by a more powerful Cummins ISLe 450 engine (455 hp), which allows for a maximum speed of 118 km/h on the highway, enhanced mine protection, increased interior space, anti-lock braking system, WMD protection system, all-round vision system, a new remotely controlled weapons module, more reliable electronics and the ability to attachment of mounted armor. The machine provides transportation of a crew of 11 people.