Late in 1996, the Kuwait National Guard awarded AV Technology International (owned by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and AV Technology Limited Liability Company) of the US, a contract worth US$170 million for the supply of 70 Pandur (6 × 6) vehicles in six versions.

These were manufactured in the US by AV Technology with deliveries taking place over a two year period. In addition, the contract includes two options which could bring the total number of vehicles up to 200 units, which would be sufficient for three battalions. As of late 2004, the two options for follow on orders for the Kuwait National Guard had not been exercised.

The first Pandur vehicle for Kuwait was completed four months ahead of schedule, early in November 1997, and was used to train Kuwait National Guard crews at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

The vehicles were built in the USA with such items as power pack and drivelines being supplied by Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria.

The Kuwait National Guard took delivery of six versions:

• Armoured personnel carrier fitted with AV Technology two-man Multi Turret Gun System (MTGS) armed with the ATK Gun Systems Company 25 mm M242 Chain Gun and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and two banks of four Galix electrically operated smoke grenade launchers

The turret is also fitted with a General Dynamics Land Systems all-electric digital gun control and stabilisation system, allowing the weapons to be laid onto the target while the vehicle is moving

To allow targets to be engaged under day and night conditions, the gunner has the Kollsman Day/Night Range Sight (DNRS) which incorporates day/thermal channels and a laser range-finder which provides target information to the computer

The commander has an M36 day/image intensification sight and a monitor screen that allows him to see the gunner's thermal view of the target

This version has a crew of three and can carry four troops in the rear, two each side facing outwards. A total of four firing ports and associated vision devices are provided, one in each side of the hull and one in each of the two rear doors

• Assault gun vehicle fitted with two-man Cockerill two-person LCTS turret armed with a Cockerill 90 mm Kenerga gun and 7.62 mm machine gun. This also has the Galix grenade system installed. This can launch a variety of different grenades

• Ambulance

• Command post

• Mortar carrier with UK 81 mm mortar

• Repair and recovery

A detailed description of the Pandur is given in a separate Austrian entry. The vehicles built by AV Technology LLC for the Kuwait National Guard have some differences from those built for Austria.

For the Kuwait National Guard, the hull of the Pandur has been extended by 500 mm with the wheelbase of the 2nd/3rd axle extended by 300 mm to provide more internal space and improved vehicle stability.

All versions of the Pandur are protected against 7.62 mm armour-piercing attack through a full 360º with added protection over the frontal arc of the hull and turret.

All of the Kuwaiti vehicles feature a full air conditioning system; dual-mode (overpressure and face mask) nuclear, biological, chemical warfare defensive system; central tyre-pressure regulation system to allow adjustment to suit terrain; run-flat tyre inserts and a rear-mounted Rotzler hydraulic winch that can be used to the front or rear of the vehicle.

Communication equipment fitted includes UHF and VHF radios and 25 of the 70 vehicles are fitted with a global positioning system.

In addition to the six variants built for the Kuwait National Guard, AV Technology has in the past proposed a number of other variants including an anti-tank missile vehicle.

Late in 1997, a Pandur fitted with an AV Technology one-man turret with four Hellfire Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) underwent a series of trials and demonstrations in Kuwait.

During these trials, conducted under day and night conditions, six Hellfire ATGM were launched at target ranges of between 500 and 8,000 m, with all missiles hitting the target.

Hellfire is a Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guided ATGM and can be used in the Lock-On-Before-Launch (LOBL) or Lock-On-After-Launch (LOAL) modes, both of which were demonstrated in Kuwait. Although normally launched from helicopters such as the AH-64, the Hellfire has been demonstrated installed on a number of tracked and wheeled platforms.

The one-man turret used on the Pandur has four Hellfire ATGM in the ready to launch position, two either side, with a standard 12.7 mm M2 machine gun being fitted for close protection.

The all-electric turret drive system was developed by General Dynamics Land Systems who also build the system for the United Defense LP Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.

In March 1999, following an international competition, AV Technology was awarded a contract by the US Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) for the Armored Ground Mobility System (AGMS).

This is a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Quantities contract and covered the supply of up to 50 vehicles, including the first batch for the Production Qualification Test (PQT), for delivery over a five-year period, with a value of US$51 million.

The AGMS is based on the Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG Pandur (6 × 6) Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) which has been manufactured by the company for the Kuwait National Guard

Production of these AGMS vehicles was undertaken at the new AV Technology facility at Shelby Township, Michigan, with the assistance of General Dynamics Land Systems and Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG. First vehicles were delivered to the US Army in March 2000. Recent information has revealed that the US Army will not procure the full batch of 50 vehicles and production has now ceased. It is believed that the first batch consisted of 10 vehicles.

The AGMS had a number of additional features including an advanced passive appliqué armour system, roof-mounted 12.7 mm M2 machine gun, automatic drive management system and a central tyre-pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure to suit the terrain being crossed. Status

Production complete. In service with Kuwait (70) and the US Army (10). Production can be resumed if additional orders are placed.