Defence & Space

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Patria AMV XP 8×8 with TURRA 30 Turret

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, Finnish company Patria Oyj showcased its…

2025-05-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. established

New subsidiary Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering expertise in planning, setting-up and operating of production…

2025-06-02 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Rheinmetall receives major international orders for 155mm artillery ammunition

Rheinmetall Denel Munition has received two new orders for 155 mm ERFB artillery ammunition. International customer orders projectiles, propellants and…

2025-06-03 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Tenders for Additional Engineering Equipment under the East Shield Initiative

The 2nd Regional Logistics Base has announced four tenders related to the acquisition of engineering and construction equipment for the Polish…

2025-06-02 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

IDET 2025: Premiere of the Pandur 8×8 EVO

The world premiere of the new Pandur 8×8 EVO wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) took place at the Czechoslovak Group’s stand during the IDET 2025 trade fair. The new vehicle is the result of work by Tatra Defence Vehicle, which obtained a license from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) to manufacture heavily modified Pandur 8×8 vehicles and offer them both on the Czech and international markets.

The Pandur 8×8 EVO is a highly developed version of the Pandur II. It is the result of cooperation between Tatra Defence Vehicle and GDLS-Steyr GmbH. The vehicle was designed in accordance with NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA) requirements, as defined by STANAG 4754. The new vehicle has been tailored to meet the requirements of the Czech Armed Forces (Armáda České Republiky) as well as an undisclosed customer. Taking into account lessons learned from the ongoing war in Ukraine, the vehicle has been equipped with the UT30MK2 unmanned turret, manufactured by Elbit Systems, which additionally features the Iron Fist active protection system.

In 2015, Tatra Defence Vehicle obtained a license from GDELS for the production and modernization of the Pandur II armored personnel carrier (APC)

As Radomir Smolka, Director of Research and Development at Tatra Defence Vehicle, told the MILMAG Editorial Team, compared to the Pandur II, the weight of the new vehicle has increased from 22.5 tons to 25 tons. This is due to the enhanced level of armor protection. The Pandur EVO features a redesigned V-shaped hull profile, providing mine protection at level M3a/M3b and ballistic protection at level 4 in accordance with STANAG 4569. Additionally, the manufacturer guarantees protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) weighing up to 50 kg or against the detonation of a high-explosive fragmentation artillery shell at a distance of 5 meters. To compensate for the increased weight, the vehicle is equipped with a 405 kW (550 hp) Cummins engine. The engine can be replaced in no more than two hours.

View of the troop compartment. The vehicle carries a three-person crew (commander, gunner, and driver) and seven dismounted soldiers

The Pandur 8×8 EVO is equipped with a range of systems designed to enhance situational awareness and crew survivability. The remotely operated turret is controlled via two consoles located inside the vehicle. Additionally, the commander is equipped with the Iron Vision system, integrated with external cameras, allowing 360-degree observation around the vehicle. The commander’s station also includes a battlefield management system (BMS) terminal. Communication and data exchange are provided by three L3Harris radios. Interestingly, internal data exchange within the vehicle is handled by the RF-7800I digital intercom, a licensed version of the FONET system developed and produced by the WB Group.

Digital intercom terminal, a licensed version of the FONET system manufactured by the WB Group

The commander’s station (on the left) and the gunner’s station (on the right). Noteworthy are the two central screens. The upper screen, in high resolution, displays the image from the day/night electro-optical sight, integrated with software using elements of artificial intelligence that identifies potential targets in real time. The lower touchscreen allows the operator to manage key vehicle systems such as weaponry and defensive systems, as well as monitor critical parameters. Below is a speaker console, a licensed version of the CZS-2GM panel, which is part of the FONET system.

The Pandur EVO is armed with an unmanned turret from Elbit, equipped with a 30 mm MK44S Bushmaster II automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun. Additionally, a launcher for a pair of SPIKE LR2 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) can be mounted on the turret. The weapon systems can be reloaded from inside the vehicle, allowing the crew to replenish ammunition for the cannon and machine gun without exposing themselves. Only the missile launcher requires external access for reloading. Additional ammunition is stored in the troop compartment, behind the commander’s station.

As Radomir Smolka informed the MILMAG Editorial Team, the turret for the Pandur EVO is to be assembled and installed at Tatra’s facilities in the Czech Republic / Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG

The Pandur EVO is designed to be fully adapted to the requirements of both current and future battlefields, including threats posed by the growing use of unmanned platforms. Protection against drones is to be provided by three systems: the Iron Fist active protection system, which will be adapted to counter loitering munitions; a 30 mm cannon capable of firing programmable airburst ammunition; and two jamming systems. The latter are also intended to prevent the detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The Pandur 8×8 EVO measures 7,880 mm in length, 2,730 mm in width, and 3,550 mm in height. Its modular design allows it to be configured as a wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, command vehicle, self-propelled mortar, recovery vehicle, mobile air defense platform, or communications vehicle. Thanks to its integrated communication systems, it can operate in coordination with unmanned ground vehicles and is capable of deploying and controlling loitering munitions.

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