Czech Army Advances Plans for New Eight-Wheeled Combat Vehicle with Pandur 8×8 EVO Platform
The Czech Army has signaled intent to procure a new generation of eight-wheeled armored vehicles to replace its Pandur II 8×8 fleet. The Pandur 8×8 EVO, developed and tested by Tatra Defence Vehicle, is emerging as the leading candidate.
Officials from the Czech Army have publicly outlined plans to transition to a new class of eight-wheeled armored combat vehicles, with the objective of eventually phasing out the current Pandur II 8×8 CZ fleet.
The primary focus of this initiative is the Pandur 8×8 EVO, a next-generation wheeled armored vehicle being developed and evaluated by Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV), a member of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG). TDV has both the industrial experience and licensed heritage from its long-standing role in producing, servicing, and upgrading the existing Pandur II platform for the Czech Army and foreign customers.
The Pandur 8×8 EVO represents a modular chassis designed for multiple mission roles. It features a high-performance diesel powertrain and modular architecture that can accommodate a range of weapon stations, sensors, and communications systems, enabling configurations from infantry fighting vehicles to command and control or support variants. Protection levels are increased compared with earlier Pandur models, and the design incorporates enhanced ballistic and mine resistance.
Domestic production of the Pandur 8×8 EVO is positioned to support secure supply chains for the Czech Army and reinforce the local defense industrial base. Key subsystems, including turret manufacture and systems integration, are carried out within the Czech Republic, with participation from international partners through technology transfer agreements.
This evolution of Czech eight-wheeled armored mobility continues a legacy of domestic armored vehicle development that traces back through the Pandur II series and earlier indigenous designs. Final procurement decisions and quantities remain subject to formal acquisition processes.
