The Czech Republic is advancing plans to acquire more than 250 new armored personnel carriers to replace its aging Pandur II 8×8 fleet, with Tatra Defence Vehicle’s domestically developed Pandur 8×8 EVO emerging as a leading candidate.
Momentum for the program follows a feasibility study submitted in December 2025, which outlined multiple acquisition options and projected a deal potentially worth “tens of billions of crowns,” according to Czech news agency Aktuálně. In 2024, Prague announced it would halt modernization of its 127 legacy Pandur II vehicles—operational since the 2000s—in favor of a complete fleet replacement.
The study is currently under military review and will form the basis of a formal recommendation to the government, with officials noting that key details will remain classified. A parallel market consultation involved several European defense firms, including Germany’s Artec, Finland’s Patria, and General Dynamics European Land Systems of Spain.
The process identified Artec’s Boxer and Patria’s AMV XP as potential contenders alongside the Czech-developed Pandur 8×8 EVO. The selected vehicle will equip the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, the Czech Army’s mechanized infantry formation and its principal contribution to NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
According to Chief of the General Staff Gen. Karel Řehka, the future platform must meet NATO standards, support mid-life upgrades, and deliver long-term cost efficiency. If approved, initial deliveries could begin in 2029.
