Pandur II in production
Christopher F Foss
Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug (Stand A83) has confirmed that its new generation Pandur II family of 8x8 armoured fighting vehicles is now in quantity production for Portugal. The first batch of 42 Pandurs is coming from the Austrian production line in Vienna and the remaining 218 from the recently established Fabrequipa production line in Portugal.
The total order of 260 units comprises 240 for the Army and 20 special amphibious versions for the Marines. Portugal will take delivery of 15 different versions and there is also an option on an additional 33 units to meet a 105mm Mobile Gun System (MGS) requirement, for which there are a number of turret options.
The first complete Pandur vehicles manufactured in Portugal will be delivered in the third quarter of 2007 and production will build up to eight units a month until deliveries are complete. Pandur II has recently been ordered by the Czech Republic, which will take delivery of 199 vehicles in various configurations, with an option on an additional 35 vehicles. Pandur II is a further development of the earlier Pandur, of which about 300 were built in 6x6 configuration.
This can still be manufactured as and when required. Pandur II is being marketed in 6x6 and 8x8 configurations, with the latter having a greater internal volume and payload, allowing it to undertake a wider range of roles. Steyr-Daimler-Puch is part of General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems (GD ELCS), which also owns MOWAG of Switzerland, prime contractor for the Piranha family of 8x8 vehicles. It is now the policy of GD ELCS to enter just one vehicle in competitions – that is, Pandur or Piranha.
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