Armor protection was limited to small arms fire of 7.62mm caliber (armor piercing) though the front was further protected to retard penetration of 12.7mm and even 14.7mm projectiles from heavy arms fire and fragments. Applique armor was available for improved survivability. For crew comfort a heater could be fitted to control cabin temperatures. The driving action was assisted by the standard integrated power steering system for fluid reaction of the steerable front pair of road wheels. Crew survivability was improved by the implementation of a fire suppression system as well as a fire detection system. Up to six smoke grenade dischargers could be fitted as tube launchers on either the optional powered turrets or along the hull side itself. A central tire regulation system managed the pressure to the six road wheels "on-the-fly", allowing the Pandur I to adjust ground pressure as the terrain required. Each tire was also designed to "run flat" for a further 50 kilometers after resulting damage.
Operational weight for the Pandur I was listed at 13.5 tons. Measurements included an 18 foot, 8 inch length with an 8 foot, 3 inch width and a 6 foot listed height. Power was supplied by a single Steyr brand 6-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine delivering 260 base horsepower at 2,400 revolutions per minute. This supplied the vehicle with a road speed equal to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) and an operational range of approximately 435 miles (700 km).
While utilizing the same chassis, the Pandur I was developed into two basic variants simply-titled "Model A" and "Model B". The Model A featured an extended center roof design and could take on various dedicated battlefield roles to include that of ambulance with internal spacing for medical litters, a potent offensive-minded anti-tank platform, the standard armored personnel carrier with troop seating capacity, a mobile command post sporting increased communications equipment and a repair and recovery vehicle. The Model B was differentiated by its "flat" roof and was designed to fulfill the dedicated roles of amphibious assault (through use of installed water jets for self-propulsion), heavy caliber mortar carrier and reconnaissance Fire Support Vehicle (FSV).
The Austrian Army began use of the Pandur I series in 1996 to which some 71 vehicles were ultimately delivered. Belgium undertook license production of the vehicle in five major variants numbering 45 examples in whole. The Kuwait National Guard, under the AV Technology International production banner, operated some 70 vehicles in six major variants (as Austrian law prohibited the sale of Austrian war goods to places of "tension", Av Technology handled overseas production). The Slovenian Army became a major producer (under license) and operator of the Pandur I through its 85 examples and fielded these under the designation of "Valuk". The United States Army purchased the Pandur I for possible use as the multirole "Armored Ground Mobility System" (AGMS), also produced under the AV Technology product banner, in 50 examples for Special Operations Command (USASOC). It is believed that Equatorial New Guinea maintains a small force of Pandur I vehicles that is about 15-strong, these elements formed from the spoils of capture when the government seized a cargo vessel shipping fifteen Belgium Army Pandur Is (then on lease to the West African nation of Benin) and bound for the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in early 2006.
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