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The car shown at the exhibition is based on a modified Pandur Evolution 6x6 platform. It is equipped with a remote-controlled battle station that includes a 30 mm autocannon, a protective net to protect against drones and several canisters for launching Switchblade 300 Block 20 ammunition. GDELS officials declined to provide detailed specifications, providing only limited information on the vehicle's weight and mobility.
The featured vehicle is described as a potential mission option that has not yet been selected by any customer. GDELS declined to comment on whether the vehicle could serve as a base for the heavy Armored Ground Mobility System (AGMS) platform.
While the Special Forces variant of the Pandur Evolution includes items such as a weapon station and Switchblade canisters, these components appear to be more demos than final equipment.
Three main modifications distinguish the Special Forces variant of the Pandur from the standard version. The vehicle's chassis was significantly shortened at the rear, reducing its empty weight to less than 15 tons without mission equipment. Other visible changes include the presence of a ballistic cockpit and a modified engine cooling system. The total permissible weight of the vehicle is 19,5 tons, the carrying capacity is about 3 tons. The transmission has not been changed and the car retains the 450kW Cummins ISLe 335 diesel engine and ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The dimensions of the base machine (2,6 meters in width and 2,2 meters in height) allow it to be transported by a C-130 aircraft. The main armor of the Pandur family of vehicles protects the crew from shrapnel, small arms fire and mines. Although GDELS did not provide details on the special forces variant's armor, it is likely to feature additional armor from Rheinmetall Protection Systems and meet STANAG 4569 ballistic protection standards, likely level 3 or higher.
Since the machine was presented in a closed configuration, it was not possible to obtain information about the internal layout and configuration of the combat space. However, the presence of a ballistic driver's cabin and modified engine cooling system, also found on earlier versions of the AGMS Pandur used by USSOCOM, indicate that this vehicle is well suited for special operations. An armored engine cooling system protects the engine while allowing the surface to be used for transporting materiel or combat equipment, and a ballistic driver's cabin allows the driver to maintain a stable environment even under enemy fire.
AGMS vehicles currently in service, as seen in publicly available images, are equipped with numerous special modifications such as remote-controlled weapon stations, communications equipment and sensors. This leads to the conclusion that the exhibited version of Pandur for special forces is probably only a basic platform for future AGMS vehicles, and the final versions are expected to include different equipment and armor adapted to specific tasks.
