General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has been awarded a contract from Elbit Systems for ASCOD tracked armored vehicles. The vehicles will be outfitted with the latest 105mm large-caliber turret and delivered to an Asian-Pacific customer over a period of three years.
With its modular design and open system architecture, the ASCOD can be outfitted easily for multiple roles, including as a Light Tank (LT) or Medium Main Battle Tank (MMBT), and outfitted with large-caliber cannons up to 120mm. Three other nations – Austria, Spain, and the United Kingdom – have already selected the ASCOD as their preferred tracked armored vehicle platform. The vehicles for the fourth customer will be branded with the name Sabrah.
“We are delighted that the first customer outside of Europe selected our ASCOD as their future Light Tank platform,” said Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Vice President of International Business & Services for GDELS. “It indicates a clear trend in the armored vehicle segment to medium weight (≤ MLC 50) and multi-role platforms, which provide modern armies with commonality, interoperability, flexibility, as well as advanced military mobility, while significantly reducing logistic complexity and cost of ownership.”
“With this contract, the number of ASCOD vehicles in service or under contract reach 1,000 units, proof of the innovation of the system and its capability to adapt to all customers’ needs. The modular design and open architecture of ASCOD is a great example for this advanced approach,” Kauffmann said.
