Tatra Defence Vehicle will present the new Czech Pandur 8x8 EVO combat vehicle at the IDET 2025 trade fair
This year’s IDET trade fair will host the world premiere of the next-generation armored vehicle Pandur 8x8 EVO, developed and manufactured by Czech company Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV), part of the industrial and technological group CSG. The vehicle will be officially unveiled on May 28, the opening day of the fair.
The unveiling ceremony, held at Hall P, booth no. 094 of the CSG group, will feature high-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, representatives of the Czech defense industry, and other invited guests. TDV will also display additional vehicles from the Pandur family near Pavilion P – modernized Pandur II 8x8 variants equipped with new turrets for fire support and air defense systems. TDV aims to demonstrate the wide range of capabilities the Pandur 8x8 platform offers not only to Czech armed forces but also to foreign customers. Export orders are a top priority for the manufacturer, with global demand already reaching into the hundreds of units. This flexibility allows TDV to swiftly adapt production to potential needs of the Czech Army.
TDV has worked closely with GDELS, a leading European manufacturer of armored land vehicles, which is the European part of the American group General Dynamics, on the development of the Panduru 8x8 EVO. CSG has previously obtained a license from GDELS to develop and produce an eight-wheeled variant of the Pandur platform, which it has successfully used for projects in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Economic Benefits of Domestic Development and Production
The Pandur 8x8 EVO represents a completely new generation of armored vehicle with key modernization elements to meet the demands of contemporary warfare. TDV designed the vehicle with the needs of the Army of the Czech Republic in mind, but also takes into account the export potential of this platform, which is completely manufactured in the Czech Republic. For the first time, domestic production now includes a weapons station, made possible through collaboration with an Israeli partner.
This domestic product also brings significant benefits to the Czech economy. “According to the latest EY study, if the Czech Armed Forces were to adopt the Pandur 8x8 EVO, each Czech crown invested by the state would multiply 2.4 times in the Czech economy. The expected overall economic benefit of the project for the Czech economy therefore greatly exceeds the expected investments, with the share of domestic companies in the project reaching at least 67% of the purchase price of the vehicles," said Tomáš Mohapl, CEO of TDV.
Regarding potential deliveries to the Czech Army, Mohapl added: “The development of the vehicle and the transfer of production of some components meant significant investments for us, which would not have been possible if the vehicle did not have significant export potential. However, this is also beneficial for potential production for the Czech army. A domestic manufacturer ensures secure deliveries and servicing even during international crises. While foreign suppliers may offer only final assembly in Czech industry, TDV is full-fledged domestic developer and manufacturer.”
There is also potential to increase the overall economic contribution through additional orders from both domestic and international sources. Local industry participation in export projects would enhance national employment, amplify the return on initial investments, and enable Czech firms to expand production capacities. The Pandur 8x8 EVO proves that the Czech defense industry has both the capabilities and technology to develop and produce the most advanced combat systems, while also supporting the Czech Army throughout the vehicle’s entire lifecycle.
Modern Technologies and Armament of the New Czech Armored Vehicle
“The Pandur 8x8 EVO features advanced ballistic and mine protection that meets the highest military standards for this vehicle class. It also includes top-tier electronics and communications equipment, as well as an AI-based situational awareness system. This system helps vehicle crews better understand battlefield dynamics, evaluate combat scenarios, and receive early warnings of threats,” explained Radomír Smolka, TDV’s Director of Research and Development.
The modular Pandur 8x8 EVO platform allows for various configurations – combat, command, communications, fire support, air defense, engineering, and more. At IDET 2025, the Pandur 8x8 EVO will be presented as a wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) with an unmanned weapon station with a 30mm cannon. This weapon station will be manufactured in the Czech Republic thanks to the transfer of technological know-how from an Israeli partner to TDV.
The main armament consists of a 30 mm Mk.44S Bushmaster II automatic cannon with electrical stabilization. Additional armament consists of a coupled machine gun and a pair of Spike anti-tank guided missiles in a separate launcher. The weapon station is equipped with fully stabilized optoelectronic sights for the commander and gunner with automatic target tracking, both sights also include a high-resolution daytime TV camera and a thermal imaging camera for night or poor weather conditions, the commander's has a panoramic view.
Lessons from the Ukrainian Battlefield
TDV engineers incorporated real-world experience from the war in Ukraine into the vehicle’s design. The Pandur 8x8 EVO can defend itself against drones using programmable ammunition fired from its cannon and through the Iron Fist system. Originally developed to counter anti-tank missiles, Iron Fist has proven effective against attack drones as well. The system uses electronically scanned radar sensors to detect threats, which may be supported by infrared sensors or active jamming technology. Threats are neutralized using a pair of dual-rotating launchers with defensive munitions mounted on the weapon station. A more powerful powerpack ensures high mobility, enabling the vehicle to quickly retreat from danger zones. The Pandur 8x8 EVO is also equipped with its own UAV, which can be used for reconnaissance or as guided munition.
