Portugal will deploy six Pandur II 8×8 armoured vehicles and an additional 45 troops to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The planned deployment will provide additional mobility and protection for the MINUSCA’s contingent.

As of now, no date has been set for the deployment however, plans are underway to deploy the vehicles with the fourth rotation of troops later this year.

The Pandur II 8×8 armoured vehicle

The wheeled armoured personnel carrier Pandur II 8×8 was designed by Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH, Austria. It has six versions - command, reconnaissance (in two modifications - with and without a radar), engineer and medicar versions.

Pandur II 8×8 Mobility

All modificatons of wheeled APC Pandur II are amphibious, thus capable of transport both on roads and water surfaces.

Pandur II 8×8 Armament

Remote-controlled top weapons system. The primary weapon is ATK MK44 30mm, while a 7.62 mm machine gun is a secondary weapon.

Additional armaments: ATGM SPIKE, grenade thrower for smoke grenades.
Two-axis LOF tower stabilisator.

Pandur II 8×8 Sensors Systems

Fire control and observation devices: day vision - coloured CCD camera, night vision - cooled thermal imagery device, laser gunsight, automatic target homing.

Pandur II 8×8 Specifications

Length: 7.50 m
Height without superstructures (radar, weapons): 2.08 m
Width: 2.67 m
Weight: up to 20,000 kg
Engine: 6 cylinder 455 HP/335 kW
Max. speed: 105 KPH
Operation range: 700 km
Acceleration: 0 – 30 KPH - 6.5 sec
0 – 50 KPH - 14 sec
Crew: 14
Floating speed: 10 KMH
Max. climbing: 70 %
Fording: 1.5 m