In early 2006, Panhard General Defense completed the prototype of their private venture AVXL armoured personnel carrier (APC).

This new vehicle is based on their latest 4 x 4 cross country tactical vehicle chassis which has already been developed, tested and placed in production for an undisclosed export customer.

The AVXL design leverages off of the Panhard General Defense AVL (4 x 4) which was selected by the French Army following a competition to meet its requirements for a Petit Vehicule Protégé (PVP) or light protected armoured vehicle.

Late in 2005, an order was placed with Panhard General Defense for the supply of 312 PVP units plus options which could bring the total purchase up to 931 units plus two pre-production units. First production PVP for the French Army were completed in the second half of 2007.

The latest AVXL was developed to meet user requirements for a vehicle with good protection but a significant increase in payload that allows it to undertake a wider range of battlefield missions.

As of early 2008, the Panhard General Defense AXVL armoured personnel carrier remained at the prototype stage but it has been evaluated by at least one potential customer to meet an internal security vehicle requirement.

Layout of the AVXL is conventional with the engine compartment at the front and the crew compartment at the rear. The crew enter the vehicle via two forward opening doors in either side of the hull with each of these provided with a bullet proof window it its upper part with a circular firing port below.

In addition there is a large door in the hull rear that opens to the right which also has a bullet proof window it its upper part and a circular firing port below.

Roof hatch arrangement depends on customers requirement but can include a circular hatch over the forward part of the troop compartment roof on which various types of weapon can be installed.

The engine and troop compartments are provided with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters while the underside is protected against anti-personnel mines. According to Panhard General Defense it meets the Level 2 NATO STANAG. Armour is all welded steel with appliqué armour being optional.

The baseline AVXL version has a crew of two, commander and driver, and can carry ten fully equipped troops with a maximum payload of 3,000 kg.

As well as being used as a base line APC, the AVXL design is such that it is suitable for a wide range of other missions including command and control.

Panhard General Defense has already proposed a version of AVXL as the platform for the Rapsodie battlefield surveillance radar.

AVXL can also be used as an internal security vehicle with this model being fitted with a powered track between the front and rear road wheels. This is lowered to the ground by the driver to enable obstacles to be crossed.