The US Army continues to seek lighter and more mobile solutions for its short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems. In line with this, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is launching a lighter and more mobile Pandur EVO model based on a Pandur 6x6 vehicle developed for the Austrian army. This new vehicle stands out as an option designed specifically for rapid movement of troops and effective defense against air threats.
Key Features of Pandur EVO
Pandur is a 1980x6 armored vehicle developed for the Austrian army by Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeuge in the 6s. Manufactured by GDLS’ sister company, European Land Systems (ECS), the vehicle has undergone several iterations and updates, evolving into the current Pandur EVO version. Ray Moldovan, GDLS Business Development Manager, stated that this vehicle “has undergone several generational changes and technology updates, despite being developed over 40 years ago.” The Pandur EVO is designed as a platform that is “highly mobile, durable, scalable and has ballistic protection.”
The US Army's Air Defense Needs and the Place of the Pandur EVO
The U.S. Army is looking at a variety of solutions to rapidly develop and field short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems. The Army currently continues to deploy in Europe with the M-SHORAD system based on the Stryker combat vehicle platform. However, industry demand for lighter and more portable solutions is among the factors that brought the Pandur EVO to the forefront. The lightness and mobility provided by the Pandur EVO increases the mobility required for short-duration operations by the U.S. Army.
Pandur EVO is lighter than the Stryker and at the same time provides strong ballistic protection, making it an attractive option for short-range air defense systems. In addition, Pandur EVO's payload capacity and modular structure have the potential to protect both foot forces and provide an effective solution against air threats.
M-SHORAD System and Development Process
The M-SHORAD system was rapidly developed in 2016 in response to urgent operational needs in Europe. The development process lasted only 2020 months until prototype testing in 19. The Stryker-based platform provides short-range air defense capabilities using mission equipment developed by Leonardo DRS and the RTX Stinger missile. This rapidly developed solution has begun to be deployed to U.S. Army units in Europe, with the first M-SHORAD battalion deployed in 2021.
The U.S. Army’s need for short-range air defense systems is driven not only by the need to protect ground forces, but also to defend against new threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Pandur EVO offers a lighter and more practical solution compared to the M-SHORAD system, with features designed to combat such threats.
Advantages and Technical Specifications of Pandur EVO
One of the biggest advantages of the Pandur EVO is its payload capacity. Although the vehicle weighs around 20 tons, it is around 10 tons lighter than the Stryker, making it a more portable and fast-moving platform. In addition, the vehicle still has enough space in the troop compartment for the vehicle commander, gunner, SHORAD operator and robotic systems operator. This increases the Pandur EVO's multi-tasking capability.
Pandur EVO, using the Moog RIP turret, has short-range air defense capabilities, just like the system on the Stryker. Pandur EVO can also be integrated with the robotic combat vehicle TRX, creating a platform with fully autonomous operational capabilities. This feature could play an important role in the future operations of the US Army.
Future and Potential of Pandur EVO
Pandur EVO is used by European armies such as Portugal, Belgium, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. However, if acquired by the US Army, General Dynamics Land Systems says it could reactivate the production line in Michigan. It is also thought that Pandur EVO will be compatible with counter-UAV (UAS) capabilities. In particular, the vehicle offers robust survivability for counter-UAV solutions, which has the potential to make it an indispensable platform on modern battlefields.
The US Army is continuing to work on this new solution, considering the advantages of the Pandur EVO, such as its lightness and ease of transport. The speed and maneuverability provided by the Pandur EVO compared to larger platforms such as the Stryker could make it a preferred option in future short-range air defense systems. It is expected that the Pandur EVO will be evaluated by the US Army, with requests to be made in the summer of 2024.
