Five Czech Companies to Collaborate on ASCOD-based Bid
Having been selected as a potential candidate for the Czech Army’s requirement for new armoured fighting vehicles (AFV), General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) used IDET 2017 in Brno this week as the springboard for its industrial partnership strategy.
Having previously delivered 107 PANDUR 8×8 vehicles to the Czech Army with a high level of local industrial content, GDELS has now transferred the entire production of the vehicleto a Czech industry partner.
In a similar development, on 1 June the company signed collaborative arrangements with five Czech companies covering potential cooperation on the new tracked vehicle programme, for which GDELS’ bid will be based on its ASCOD vehicle.
As well as signing up its strategic partner Czechoslovak Group (CSG Group), based in Prague, GDELS signed agreements with VOP CZ (specialists in military equipment production welding and machining); Letecké Přístroje Praha (battle management information and diagnostic systems); Meopta Systems (optical systems); and Ray Service (cable harnesses and electromechanical assemblies).
“With this step, we clearly reconfirm our strong commitment to the Czech Army to supply our ASCOD, one of the most modern and capable infantry fighting vehicles, and to execute our successful strategy of bringing significant benefits to the local industry. The Czech Republic is one of GDELS’s home-markets and we can rely on a vast and proven network of cooperation with various industry partners across the country,” Thomas Kauffmann, Vice President International Business and Services at GDELS, commented.
