Pandur II

105 mm fire support vehicle

The Pandur II 105 mm fire support vehicle is in service with Portuguese Army

Pandur II with CT-CV 105 mm turret
Country of origin	Austria
Entered service	?
Crew	3 men
*Dimensions and weight*
Weight	~ 20 t
Length (gun forward)	?
Hull length	7.54 m
Width	2.66 m
Height	~ 2.9 m
*Armament*
Main gun	105 mm
Barrel length	53 calibers
Muzzle velocity	?
Maximum firing range	4 km
Rate of fire	8 rpm
Machine guns	1 x 7.62 mm
Elevation range	- 10 to + 42 degrees
Traverse range	360 degrees
*Mobility*
Engine	Cummins ICS 350 diesel
Engine power	285 hp
Maximum road speed	100 km/h
Range	700 km
*Maneuverability*
Gradient	65%
Side slope	30%
Vertical step	0.5 m
Trench	1.4 m
Fording	1.5 m

The Pandur II fire support vehicle is a member of the Pandur II armored vehicle family. It was developed by Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch as a private venture.

This fire support vehicle was developed with two turret variants. There is a version with CMI Defence CT-CV 105 mm two-man turret with a low-recoil fully-stabilized 105 mm gun. This system is compatible with standard NATO 105 mm ammunition. It is also compatible with smart ammunition and is able to fire guided missiles. This version is equipped with an automatic loader. Crew and ammunition compartments are separated. Maximum rate of fire is 8 rpm. Gun can be elevated to +42 degrees. This feature allows to adapt vehicle to mountainous warfare. This variant can be recognized by its rounded muzzle brake. Portuguese Army ordered 30 of these fire support vehicles, however eventually the acquisition program was suspended due to the funding problems. Instead the Portugal currently relies on its Chaimite V-400 armored cars with 90 mm guns.

Another variant of the Pandur II fire support vehicle is fitted with Oto Melara Hitfact turret. This variant is also armed with a 105 mm/L52 low-recoil gun. This system lacks autoloader and has a three-man turret. Maximum rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute. Maximum range of effective fire is 3.5 km. This variant received no production orders to date.

Both variants of the Pandur II FSV are fitted with secondary 7.62 mm machine gun.

Armor of this vehicle protects against 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds. Optional add-on armor provides protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing projectiles. Spall liners and improved mine protection are offered as an option. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are also optional.

This fire support weapon has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

Vehicle is powered by the Cummins ICS 350 diesel engine, developing 285 hp. The Pandur II FSV is also available with a 400 hp diesel. Powerpack can be removed and replaced in field conditions within 30 minutes.