Czech Companies Invest More Than CZK 300 million in AFRC Pandur Program

, The Czech subcontractors involved in the manufacturing of the Pandur II armoured wheeled carriers for the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic (AFRC) have invested more than CZK 300 million in the production of the first 17 vehicles and in preparation for serial production. 
 
The Vojensk_ opravárensk_ podnik companies in Nov_ Ji_ín and _ternberk, which are the main Czech partners in the project, have made the largest investments to date. 
 
The Czech companies involved in the Pandur wheeled armoured carrier program include Letecké p_ístroje Praha, MESIT, DICOM, MEOPTA from Moravia and the Slavkov-based simulator producer, E-COM. Overall, approximately 12 Czech companies are participating in the production. 
 
“Czech companies supply certain highly sophisticated components for the Pandur. This unique production cooperation, developed in direct response to an AFRC requirement, makes the Pandur one of the most advanced vehicles of its kind in the world,” said Stefan Szücs, project manager for the Pandur program. 
 
In addition to production of Pandur components, Czech companies – the Vojensk_ opravárensk_ podnik companies in Nov_ Ji_ín and _ternberk – will directly manufacture the Pandur vehicles. The Nov_ Ji_ín facility has already opened its first process line and has begun production of the hulls for the first ‘Czech-made’ vehicles. In total, more than 160 vehicles out of the total 199 will be made in the Czech Republic. 
 
Czech companies’ investments are considerable. For example, Vojensk_ opravárensk_ podnik 025 in Nov_ Ji_ín completely retooled an entire production hall especially for the production and assembly of the Pandur II vehicles, and the _ternberk company built an entirely new hall for the military project. 
 
Other subcontractors have made similar investments for the project, including MEOPTA, which will deliver surveillance and sighting equipment for the vehicles; Uherské Hradi_t_-based DICOM, which will supply communication systems; and Letecké p_ístroje Praha, which will supply the diagnostic, navigation and command systems. 
 
The total value of contracts with direct Czech suppliers to the Pandur wheeled armoured carriers will be at least 4 billion crowns between 2007 and 2012. In addition to these direct supply agreements, Defendia CZ, the contractor, is obligated to secure contracts worth another CZK 20 billion for civilian Czech producers. 
 
Defendia CZ, through its parent company, Steyr, directly produced the main components of the first 17 vehicles. A majority of the remaining vehicles to be delivered under the contract will be made at the VOP 025 Nov_ Ji_ín and VOP 026 _ternberk companies. The contract, which brings new technology and promises to last several years, is expected to greatly improve both companies’ performance and employment rate. 
 
The Pandur vehicles will be made in a total of 18 configurations, including 63 armoured personnel carriers (APC). These vehicles will be equipped with a Rafael remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS 30) and a Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launcher. The Pandur II 8×8 APC is designed to be transported in combat configuration aboard C-130 cargo aircraft. 
 
The integration of many modern components made by Czech producers in the Pandur II is taking place in co-operation with the research institutes of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, making the vehicle a definite global leader in its category. 
 
VOP 026 will design and produce other variants, and will also be Rafael’s main partner in the production of the Pandur II 8×8’s main weapon equipment, the Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS). Many other Czech companies are expected to join the consortium to provide portions of the production and supply certain components and subsystems. 
 
In addition to manufacturing the vehicles, Defendia CZ and the Steyr-led consortium of leading Czech and international companies also will supply full training and logistical support for the Pandur IIs. 
 
Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH (Steyr-SSF) is an operating company of the General Dynamics European Land Systems group, headquartered in Vienna. The wheeled armoured vehicles manufactured by the group are the most advanced armoured vehicles in the world, and are currently in use by more than a dozen governments. 
 
General Dynamics European Land Systems was formed in 2003, through the combination of Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH, MOWAG GmbH in Switzerland, Santa Bárbara Sistemas S.A. in Spain and European Land Systems- Germany in Kaiserslautern. The organization is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.