General Dynamics European Land Systems – Steyr (GDELS) has signed a $1.3 billion agreement with Austria for the delivery of 225 more PANDUR 6×6 EVO wheeled armored vehicles.
The new deal for additional vehicles, signed on Monday, is part of Austria’s total $1.95 billion investment to upgrade its PANDUR personnel carrier fleet, which included an earlier deal for 100 of the new EVO variant platforms with deliveries ongoing. GDELS is a division of U.S.-based General Dynamics [GD].
“Today’s procurement decision marks an extraordinary milestone in the history of our PANDUR and underlines the globally unique performance and multi-role capability of this wheeled armored vehicle family,” GDELS President Antonio Bueno said in a statement. “Since the very beginning, Austria has been one of GDELS’ home countries. Consequently, we are fully dedicated and proud to be continuing our proven, trusted partnership by providing the Austrian Armed Forces with enhanced military mobility, while at the same time contributing to sustainable macroeconomic added-value together with our many industry partners.”
Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tenner said in a statement the procurement of 225 more PANDUR EVOs will be the country’s largest acquisition for its armed forces in 20 years.
GDELS noted the new order from AUSTRIA will include delivering eight new PANDUR EVO variants, to include vehicles equipped with “120mm mortar combat system as well as mobile air defense and electronic warfare variants.”
The deal also covers conversion kits to modify PANDURs for medical and command and control missions, according to the company.
From the prior award for 100 PANDUR EVO vehicles, GDELS noted the company is now on its third batch of production and delivery orders to Austria.
Austria has operated a PANDUR fleet since 1998, GDELS noted, adding around 850 of the armored personnel carriers are fielded in 6×6 and 8×8 configurations with customers including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Kuwait, Portugal and Slovenia.