The Federal Ministry of Defense is taking a further step in the area of ​​investments: Today, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner signed a corresponding contract for 225 new "Pandur Evolution" wheeled armoured vehicles in the presence of Chancellor Karl Nehammer. With the conclusion of the contract, the Pandur fleet will be expanded to a total of 12 different variants. The investment volume amounts to around 1,8 billion euros. More than 200 Austrian companies are involved in the production of the vehicles. "Today is a good day for Austria's security. Austria is purchasing 225 new Pandurs. We are investing in national defense and thus in the security of our country. A defensive democracy requires a reliable federal army in line with our neutrality," said Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the press conference. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner added: "The procurement of an additional 225 'Pandur Evolution' in various variants is the largest procurement by the Austrian Armed Forces' land forces in 20 years. With the investment volume of 1,8 billion euros, we are not only investing in Austria's security, but also in Austria as a business location. In doing so, we are securing and creating jobs at more than 220 companies. With national Pandur production, the added value in Austria is 70 percent." In addition to the delivery of state-of-the-art armored personnel carriers and flexible conversion kits for medical, command and anti-tank missions, the order provides for eight additional vehicle variants that will be newly introduced into the Austrian army. The "Pandur Evolution" vehicle family will be supplemented by the 120 mm mortar combat system, mobile air defense and electronic warfare variants. The procurement is being carried out as part of the "Reconstruction Plan 2032+", with which the Austrian armed forces are to be comprehensively modernized. The follow-on procurement will cover the medium-sized