Austria has displayed its new 8x8 version of the Pandur-II wheeled armored personnel carrier. The Austrians have exported their previous 6x6 Pandur, and "evolved" it into the new 6x6 Pandur-II. The 8x8 version is for Pandur 6x6 customers who want a larger vehicle for some missions, and for those Armies that want 8x8 vehicles. As the 6x6 and 8x8 versions of the Pandur-II use about 90% of the same parts, maintenance for a mixed force would be simpler. The 8x8 Pandur-II configured as an armored personnel carrier weighs 20 tones including fuel, crew, and ammunition. Variants can be produced for all of the usual missions (mortar, air defense, anti-tank, command, artillery observer, ambulance, supply) and it can even be fitted with a turret mounting a 105mm rifled tank cannon. An amphibious version of the Pandur-II 8x8 can be built, but would be limited to a 90mm tank cannon by weight.--Stephen V Cole