We recently reported on the new generation Pandur II 8x8 EVO armored vehicle program, which was developed as an in-depth evolution of the Pandur II 8x8 type introduced in the armed forces, including the Czech Army. The Ministry of Defense is allegedly planning to purchase additional Pandur II 8x8 armored vehicles, including completely new versions, and intends to upgrade existing units, according to its representatives. In addition, deliveries of another important armored platform for the Czech Army, namely the six-wheeled TITUS vehicles, were recently successfully completed. Further specialized modifications may follow in this case as well. So what are the prospects for eight- and six-wheeled armored vehicles in the Army?

In 2006, the Czech Armed Forces ordered a total of 107 Pandur II CZ 8x8 vehicles in six versions, dominated by the basic combat version, which comprises 72 examples and carries armament in the form of a remote-controlled Rafael Samson RCWS-30 gun turret with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR anti-tank missiles. The remaining two variants, namely medical and engineer, are either lightly armed or unarmed. Deliveries of Pandur II CZ 8x8 vehicles were completed in 2013, when the intention to procure another 20 units in specialised variants, which were named KOVS (communications) and KOVVŠ (command and staff), was approved. The army took delivery of the last vehicles of these two special versions in 2020, so today it owns a total of 127 units of all Pandur II CZ 8x8 vehicles.

Pandurs II 8x8 for foreign countries and the Czech Army

In the case of the KOVS and KOVVŠ versions, it is good to recall that these are Czech products, as Tatra Defence Vehicle has not only obtained a license from General Dynamics Land Defence Systems for the production of eight-wheeled Pandur IIs in the Czech Republic, but also the know-how for further technological development of this platform. Tatra Defence Vehicle can also supply different versions of Pandur II 8x8 vehicles to designated markets. The KOVS and KOVVŠ versions have been developed by Tatra Defence Vehicle directly for the Czech Army, and in addition to their purpose-built equipment, are characterized by increased durability and the integration of some new systems. Based on experience with this development and, of course, in cooperation with the Austrian company GDELS-Steyr, Tatra Defence Vehicle has launched the Pandur II 8x8 EVO program. Tatra Defence Vehicle approached the development of the new product based on customer interest in this platform and its technical and modernization potential. Another reason is the gradual obsolescence of the machines delivered to the Czech Army in 2009-2013 and the expected requirement for their Mid-Life Upgrade.

The Pandur II 8x8 platform can carry a variety of combat turrets, and Tatra Defence Vehicle designers have opted for the UT30MK2 turret for the future Pandur II 8x8 EVO prototype. It is no secret that the Samson RCWS-30 turret used on the machines in the armament of the Czech Armed Forces, undoubtedly modern and advanced in its time, no longer meets the current requirements. The UT30MK2 turret, on the contrary, ranks among the world's top in this sense, although turrets from other manufacturers can also be installed on the Pandur II 8x8 EVO platform. According to some information, the Czech Army is reportedly planning to modernize the existing Pandur II 8x8 CZ armored vehicles, including the replacement of combat turrets.

However, the upgrade should also affect other systems, and it will be possible to use a number of elements and solutions from the Pandur II 8x8 EVO project. There is also talk about the need to acquire additional Pandur II 8x8 vehicles, and therefore, it can be assumed that the new Pandur II 8x8 EVO with equipment according to its requirements could also be delivered to the Czech Armed Forces. Acquisition priorities include, among others, the acquisition of self-propelled mortars on wheeled chassis, which should provide fire support for the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, which is the main army user of Pandur II CZ 8x8 vehicles. But the need for new vehicles might not end there, as the army lacks, for example, self-propelled air defense vehicles for mechanised units. In fact, the requirement for an air defense version was also present in the very first list of nineteen intended versions of the Pandur II 8x8 CZ for the Czech Army.

TITUS on Tatra chassis

Among the important vehicle platforms of the Czech Army is the six-wheeled armored vehicle TITUS (Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System). It is built on a Tatra chassis, which provides great mobility in difficult terrain. It belongs to the category referred to as MRAV (Multi-Role Armored Vehicle). So far, the Army has ordered a total of 62 TITUS vehicles in three versions - liaison KOVS, command and staff KOVVŠ and a modification of MKPP (fire support coordination point) intended for artillery fire control. Deliveries of the MKPP version were completed last year, after which Army specialists installed the Adler III CZ ASRS. The Army took delivery of the last KOVS and KOVVŠ vehicles in June. It can be assumed that this is just the beginning, as earlier the army officials spoke about the need for up to hundreds of TITUS vehicles. These could be mostly specialized variants for combat support or combat security, as the experience of modern conflicts (including fighting in Ukraine) suggests that these issues need to be approached differently than before. The traditional distinction between the front and the rear is largely blurring, and it can no longer be assumed that "rear" vehicles can do without armored protection, or that conventional non-armored vehicles will suffice for these tasks.

It turns out that a standard army truck necessarily needs an armored cab to provide at least basic ballistic and mine protection, and that special armored platforms are needed for many tasks. There are a wide range of other important tasks and activities for which new vehicles with high levels of ruggedness and off-road mobility, or appropriate versions of the TITUS armored vehicle, would be suitable. In fact, Tatra Defence Vehicle has already presented concepts for some of these variants, including an engineer, medical, service or unmanned vehicle. TITUS could certainly also function as a weapons carrier, typically mortars or light air defense systems, including anti-drone solutions. And we cannot forget the basic fact that it is a platform suitable for moving people and equipment.