In March 2009, the country’s government approved the purchase of 107 Pandur II vehicles for 14.4 billion crowns (US $609 million). The APCs were designed to replace the Czech military’s outdated OT-64 armored vehicles, which were jointly developed by then-communist Poland and Czechoslovakia in the 1960s.

Based in Madrid, General Dynamics European Land Systems is a subsidiary of US company General Dynamics, and operates units in Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The Pandur II is powered by a Cummins ISLe HPCR series diesel engine developing 298 kW for the 6×6 version and 335 kW for the 8×8 version.

The engine is coupled to a ZF 6HP 602C fully automatic 6-gear transmission. Together with the 2 stage transfer gear (shiftable on the move) this gives the Pandur II a total of 12 gears. The maximum road speed is reached at 105 km/h. The hull floor of the Pandur covers and thus protects most of the power train components and steering linkages. This protects the mentioned components from being damaged from various obstacles that may occur when the vehicle operates in heavy terrain. For decreasing the turning diameter of the 8×8 version a steering brake has been installed which retards all curve-inner wheels when the steered wheels are fully turned in and vehicle velocity is sufficiently low.

Mobility

The Pandur II is powered by a Cummins ISLe HPCR series diesel engine developing 298 kW for the 6×6 version and 335 kW for the 8×8 version.

Protection

Modular ballistic protection system capable of being upgraded for future ballistic protection systems (add-on armor)

Mine protection (special hull design and components, double floor, mine protection crew seats)

NBC protection (passive, overpressure or ventilated face masks)

Spall liners reducing secondary effects of penetrating projectiles

Fire detection and suppression system for the engine compartment

Explosion detection and suppression system for the crew compartment

Armament

RAFAEL’s remotely-operated RCWS-30, with advanced optics and imaging controlling a stabilized 30mm auto-cannon, coaxial 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun, smoke grenades and other defensive systems, and a launcher pod for a launcher pod for two Rafael SPIKE LR or other anti-armor missiles.

The Czechs had tested the RCWS-30 with an ATK Mk 44 dual-feed 30mm auto-cannon. RCWS-30 is also known as Samson and includes the Mk-44 30mm gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles (optional).

RAFAEL’s remotely-operated RCWS-30

The Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) is a modular weapon system supporting small and medium caliber guns (40mm automatic grenade launcher), machine guns (12.7mm and 7.62mm), anti-tank missile launchers, automatic guns (30mm) and observation pods. These stations can be mounted on a wide range of ground platforms ranging from lightweight all-terrain vehicles to heavy armor tanks.

Its remote control system enables armored vehicles crew to operate the RCWS completely under armor minimizing the probability of a crew member casualty. This feature makes the RCWS exceptionally suitable for urban warfare such as the military operations conducted by US forces in Iraq (2003-2005) and Israeli forces in the Palestinian territories. The RCWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun is known as Enforcer while the 12.7mm gun equipped variant is known as the RCWS-12.7.

The weapon station’s main gun is stabilized to allow fire on-the-move. RCWS-30 is also known as Samson and includes the Mk-44 30mm gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles (optional). This weapon station can be fitted with optional equipment to meet customer needs.

In February 2006 General Dynamics European Land Systems (Steyr) selected the RCWS-12.7 and RCWS-30 weapon stations to equip Czech Republic’s Pandur II armored vehicles under a $120 million contract awarded to Rafael. Samson/RCWS-30 station was provided with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles in addition to the Mk-44 30mm gun. The contract also included Rafael add-on armor kits. Source deagel.com

Source rafael.co.il

ATK Mk44 30mm automatic cannon

Spike LR anti-tank missile

Spike LR anti-tank missiles

The SPIKE-LR is a lightweight, Fire and Forget and Fire, Observe and Update, multi-purpose missile system with a range of up to 4,000 meters. State-of-the-art seeker and fiber-optic data communication link provide SPIKE-LR with the unique ability to: