Austria Orders 225 Additional PANDUR 6×6 EVO Armored Vehicles From General Dynamics European Land Systems
Last week, in the presence of Prime Minister Karl Nehammer and Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner, the Austrian Ministry of Defense signed a new contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) for the procurement of an additional 225 PANDUR 6×6 EVO wheeled armored vehicles under the “Development Plan 2032” Program. The procurement in question was in addition to Austria’s previous order for 100 PANDUR 6×6 EVO armored vehicles.
According to a statement from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), the order includes eight new vehicle variants for the Austrian Armed Forces, in addition to the delivery of cutting-edge personnel carriers and flexible conversion kits for medical, command and control, and anti-tank operations. The new models include a 120 mm mortar combat system, as well as mobile air defense and electronic warfare vehicles.
In her statement about the new purchase, Austrian Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner stated:
“The procurement of 225 additional Pandur Evolution in different variants is the largest acquisition by the Austrian Army in 20 years. With an investment volume of 1.8 billion euro, we are not only investing in the security of Austria, but moreover in Austria as a business location. With 70% value creation in Austria the domestic Pandur production secures and creates jobs at over 220 companies.”
Austria had previously ordered 100 Pandur Evo vehicles from General Dynamics European Land Systems, including 34 in 2016, 30 in 2020, and 36 in 2022. GDELS delivered the first batch to Austria in 2020, and the second batch in 2023. The Austrian Armed Forces allocated these armored vehicles to the 7th Jäger Battalion, based at the Erzherzog Johann barracks in the town of Straß. According to General Dynamics European Land Systems, the third batch of 36 Pandur Evo vehicles is currently in the production and delivery phase.
According to GDELS, the production of the fourth batch commissioned with the new contract will continue smoothly like the previous ones and will allow for further investments and new highly skilled employment in the production facility in Vienna.
PANDUR EVO 6×6 is a significantly modernized version of the PANDUR MTPzUN. PANDUR EVO armored vehicles are manufactured at GDELS’ Steyr facility in Simmering, Vienna, and are available in two configurations: 6×6 and 8×8. There are currently approximately 850 PANDUR in 6×6 and 8×8 configurations in service around the world. Users include Belgium, the Czech Republic, Kuwait, Portugal, Slovenia, and the United States.