Elbit seals light tank deal for Asia-Pacific customer
Elbit Systems announced on 26 January that it has been awarded a three-year contract, worth about $172 million, to supply light tanks.
While Elbit only referred to the customer as ‘a country in Asia-Pacific’, Shephard notes similarities with requirements announced by the Philippines last year.
Elbit will provide ASCOD 2 tracked light tanks and Pandur II 8x8 fire support vehicles (pictured), manufactured respectively by General Dynamics European Land Systems in Spain and Excalibur Army in the Czech Republic.
Each vehicle will be supplied in a 30t configuration with a 105mm gun and two-man Sabrah turret made by Elbit, for ‘a unique combination of powerful fire capacity and high maneuverability’, the Israeli company noted.
Other equipment to be provided by Elbit includes EO sights, fire-control systems, E-LynX software-defined radios, the Torch-X battle management system and life support systems.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
NATO boosts uncrewed usage and shifts on concept of operations based on lessons learned from Ukraine
The war in Ukraine remains a focus of procurement, concepts of operation, tactics and training for NATO countries. The Crystal Arrow Exercise in Latvia, ongoing until 15 May, is a reflection of this.
-
AI-enhanced combat radios: how to turn comms networks into an EW advantage
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming defence communications, boosting situational awareness and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities across the battlespace. Bittium’s new partnership with MarshallAI will significantly enhance networked technology, turning radios into cutting-edge sensors with a range of applications.
-
Finding the balance between armour and air defence as UAVs proliferate
While the growing drone threat has sharpened the focus on air defence solutions, Dr Peter Magill looks at why protected mobility remains crucial.