Pizarro

   The Pizarro infantry fighting vehicle evolved from the ASCOD (Austrian-Spanish Cooperative Development) programme. Spanish Army currently operates 143 Pizarro IFVs. In 2004 Spanish Ministry of Defense ordered additional 212 IFVs of this type.

   The Pizarro IFV was designed to replace ageing light armored vehicles in service with Spanish Army, such as the M113 armored personnel carriers. Furthermore it is a flexible complement to the Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks.

   Unlike the Austrian Ulan, the Pizarro also features a limited amount of SABBLIR reactive armor, which significantly increases armor protection. Front armor of the Pizarro provides protection against 14.5-mm rounds, while all-round protection is against 7.62-mm rounds. NBC protection system is fitted as standard.

   The main armament is a fully-stabilized Mauser 30-mm Model F cannon and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun.

   Vehicle has a crew of three and can carry eight fully equipped troops.

   Spanish IFV comes with the German MTU diesel engine, delivering 600 horsepower. It is less powerful comparing with Austrian vehicle, but still offers good mobility and cross-country performance. The Pizarro is not amphibious.

Variants

   Pizarro 2, it is the second phase production vehicle. The Pizarro 2 IFVs will are powered by the same MTU series 199 engine, developing 720 hp, as the Austrian Ulan IFV.