General Dynamics European Land Systems has received an additional order of 225 Pandur 6×6 EVO wheeled armored vehicles from Austria’s Federal Ministry of Defence valued at $1.9 billion. GDLES said 100 Pandur vehicles are already under contract, with the third batch now in production and scheduled for delivery. GDELS’ Steyr facility in Vienna manufactures the Pandur wheeled vehicles, which also produces tracked armored vehicles.
The new purchase contract also includes flexible conversion kits for medical, command and control, and anti-tank missions, as well as eight new vehicle variants for introduction to the Austrian Armed Forces. GDELS said a 120 mm mortar combat system and mobile air defense and electronic warfare capabilities will be integrated into the Pandur vehicles.
The Pandur purchase is part of Austria’s Development Plan 2032 geared for military modernization initiatives that also include an order for 300 Rheinmetall MAN military vehicles.
According to Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner, the Pandur procurement is the Austrian Army’s largest acquisition in 20 years. It is an investment not only in Austria’s security but also in promoting the country as a destination for jobs in production, Tanner said.