The now BAE Systems, Land Systems, (formerly known as Pinzgauer Ltd) is currently the design authority and manufacturer of the Pinzgauer family of 4 × 4 and 6 × 6 all-terrain vehicles.

Production of the chassis was undertaken at a facility in Fareham, Hampshire with final assembly and vehicle integration being undertaken at Guildford.

Following a bid proposal, the company was selected to design and manufacture a Protected Patrol Vehicle (PPV) for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) Project Vector to provide greater protection, mobility and payload than the 'Snatch' PPV deployed by the British Army.

The Vector PPV was developed and placed in quantity production in less than nine months under a fast track contract placed by the then Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) to meet an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR).

First company funded Vector PPV concept test bed (P1) was completed early in 2006 and was followed by two prototype vehicles (P2 and P3) which were completed in June and July 2006.

An initial order received in 2006 from the UK MoD for 62 of the Vector PPVs was followed by a request in 2007 for a further 118 Vector PPV, 12 of which were the ambulance variants. All 180 production vehicles were delivered by the end of 2007.

In January 2008, BAE Systems Land Systems announced that production of the Pinzgauer family of 4 × 4 and 6 × 6 vehicles was being transferred to BAE Systems Land Systems OMC in South Africa. A core team of about 25 people will be retained in the UK to support current Pinzgauer fleets, especially New Zealand and the UK.

The Vector PPV is based on the Pinzgauer (6 × 6) chassis which has been fitted with a new armoured body designed by BAE Systems Land Systems.

The armoured floor offers greater blast and roll over protection and the body has been fitted with a reflective cover to assist with thermal management.

Exact details of the protection package of the Vector PPV have not been released but it is understood that this is a brand new design to provide the highest possible protection level within the 6 tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).

The torsion resistant central tube chassis incorporates the transfer case and lockable differentials with portal hubs on swing axles offering enhanced mobility.

From a driving and maintenance aspect Vector is the same as the 6 × 6 vehicles currently deployed by the British Army, this aspect providing MoD with advantages in terms of Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) and commonality.

All production vehicles are in a right-hand drive configuration with the vehicle commander normally occupying the left seat. Transparent armour windows are provided for forward and side observation with driver and commander being provided with a forward opening door.

The troop compartment is at the rear and normally consists of four people who can rapidly enter and leave the vehicle via two doors in the rear of the vehicle.

Each of these doors is provided with a vision block to provide observation over the rear of the vehicle. There are also two large hatches in the roof which will allow two of the crew to have good all round observation.

The Vector PPV has new rear seats that are the same as that installed in the BAE Systems Hägglunds Viking tracked articulated vehicles used by the Royal Marines.

These seats not only have a full harness but also side and head protection and are hung from the sides of the vehicle rather than be attached to the floor.

BAE Systems has integrated the General Dynamics Bowman UK digital communications system and a device to counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). A searchlight is mounted on the forward part of the roof which is controlled from within the vehicle.

Standard equipment includes power-assisted steering, anti-skid braking system, electronic traction control, run flat tyres and air conditioning system.

Standard equipment includes steps to front doors, grab handle for front passenger, exterior rear view mirrors, brush guard, fuel tank guard, fuel filter in tube, water separator, and NATO pintle towing device.

Optional equipment includes enhanced ballistic protection and a protection kit for the windows.

Most of the Vector PPV supplied to the British Army have been in the APC configuration but design of the vehicle is such that it can be configured for other roles such as ambulance, command post or electronic warfare platform to name but a few.

Prior to developing the Vector PPV, the company won a major contract from the New Zealand MoD which covered the supply of a total of 321 vehicles to fulfill the light operational vehicle (LOV) requirement.

This included 6 × 6 unarmoured vehicles as well as armoured version which were based on the Pinzgauer command variant with an armoured body provided by MacNeillie. These were the first UK-built armoured vehicles on a Pinzgauer 6 × 6 chassis. First production armoured vehicles were completed in April 2005 with delivery in 2006.