Defend-the-Defender: GDELS-Steyr to present new air defense variant of the PANDUR EVO at AIRPOWER24
Posted on 2024-09-03
General Dynamics European Land Systems - Steyr (GDELS-Steyr) is presenting a new variant of the PANDUR 6x6 EVO wheeled armored vehicle at the AIRPOWER24 airshow in Zeltweg, Styria on September 6th and 7th.
The PANDUR EVO with SKYRANGER 30 is another proof of the high modularity and outstanding multi-role capability of the PANDUR concept. The PANDUR EVO has been in use with the Austrian Armed Forces as a personnel carrier since 2018. In February 2024, a further 225 vehicles in twelve different mission variants were commissioned. In addition to the SHORAD system (Short Range Air Defense) presented in Zeltweg, these include the turreted mortar system recently shown at Eurosatory in Paris, as well as vehicles for MEDEVAC, command & control, anti-tank, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and engineering roles.
In the new mobile air defense variant, the PANDUR is equipped with an unmanned SKYRANGER 30 turret. Based on the proven PANDUR platform with 455 hp, the system is armed with a 30 mm x 173 revolver cannon capable of firing air burst ammunition and with launchers for two Mistral guided missiles. A radar and an electro-optical sensor package with TV and infrared cameras and laser rangefinder are integrated for surveillance and tracking.
The two control consoles for the weapon system and the fire control computers are housed inside the vehicle. The PANDUR SHORAD is fully equal to the other family variants in terms of mobility. It is therefore particularly suited for convoy protection of infantry forces against manned and unmanned threats from the air and contributes substantially to the Austrian Army’s “defend-the-defender” concept.
As the largest airshow in Europe and the largest event for the Austrian Armed Forces this year, AIRPOWER offers the right setting for such presentation. The organizers expect around 300,000 visitors and 200 civil and military aircraft from 20 countries. In addition to dynamic displays in the air, the program includes demonstrations of the Army’s land capabilities and an international technology and business exhibition.
