Austrian army takes delivery of the 50th Pandur EVO 6×6 armored vehicle

According to information published by the Austrian Ministry of Defense on September 1, 2022, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner handed over the 50th “Pandur Evolution EVO” 6×6 armored vehicle to the Austrian Armed Forces at the assembly plant of General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr GmbH in Vienna Simmering.

On October 2022, the Austrian Ministry of Defense awarded a contract to General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr for the delivery of 34 Pandur 6×6 Evolution (EVO) wheeled armored vehicles. Citing information from the Austrian Defence Minister, Austria has now ordered a total of 100 Pandur EVO for an amount of around 356 million Euros.

By 2020, 34 “Pandur Evo” had already been delivered to the Austrian armed forces. A further 30 units will be handed over to the Austrian army by 2023 and an additional 36 by 2025.

The first version of the Pandur wheeled armored vehicle is in service with the Austrian army since 1994. The vehicle is used as APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) and ambulance. It has been deployed during peacekeeping operations within the framework of the common security and defense policy, the defense against terrorist attacks, hybrid threats or the protection of critical infrastructure, the fulfillment of security police assistance tasks, support in civil protection or the use of security and special forces.

The Pandur EVO is a further development of the Pandur 2 which is an improved version of the Pandur 1. It has a more powerful 455hp engine than its predecessor, better mine protection, more inner space, an anti-lock braking system for greater driver safety, an NBC protection system, and more capable electronics.