- Yes
- No
TL;DR: IFV variant of the ASCOD 2, in the ASCOD 35 configuration, fitted with the unmanned Samson Mk. II turret
History
In the late 1970s, Spain and Austria were equipped with rapidly-aging APCs – the M113 in Spain, and the 4K 7FA in Austria. Both countries sought a modern AFV to complement heavy armour (in Austria, the Leopard 2A4, and in Spain, the AMX-30Es, M48s and M60s [and only later Leopard 2A4s in 1998]). In 1982, Steyr-Daimler-Puch began the process of development of a new AFV. ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development) – a merger of Steyr-Daimler-Puch and Santa Bárbara Sistemas — was formed in 1988. Soon after, the ‘Alexandros’ IFV was proposed by the combined effort of ASCOD and the Greek ELVO (formerly Steyr-Hellas). However, after a change in the Greek government and realising the Alexandros would be too expensive for Greece, ELVO dropped out, but not before handing over documents and design plans they had drawn up. ELVO would then go on to design the Kentaurus, which only saw a single prototype produced.
ASCOD then progressed rapidly in designing a prototype. The hull was produced in Spain, and the turret in Austria. The turret was a further development of the SP 30 turret already used on the Austrian Pandur II IFV in service with Portugal. The first prototype was demonstrated in 1991. After tests and the construction of further prototypes and pre-production vehicles, Spain ordered 144 in 1996 — these were called the Pizarro. Austria ordered their version, the Ulan, in 1999.
In 2004, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) unveiled the ASCOD 2. The ASCOD 2 is designed as a modular platform for a variety of different vehicle types, and primarily designed for the export market. It has two chassis variants, often called the ASCOD 35 and ASCOD 42: the former has a maximum weight of 35t, and the latter 42t. The ASCOD 42 features improved armour, and a stronger engine and transmission.
In 2010, the ASCOD 2 was chosen as the basis for the British Scout SV program, now known as the Ajax. The ASCOD 2 is also the base for the Sabrah light tank, developed by Elbit Systems and in service in the Philippines. The ASCOD 2 was chosen as the basis for a number of variants for the Spanish Army in 2023, known as the VAC (Vehículo de Apoyo de Cadenas). It was also modified for the base of the American M10 Booker light tank.
The ASCOD 2 has been presented with a number of different weapons systems, including multiple IFV variants. The first proper IFV variant was unveiled at IDET in 2017. It featured a Rafael Samson Mk. II 30mm RWS on an ASCOD 35 hull. This was proposed by GDELS for Czechia, as they were seeking the acquisition of 210 tracked IFVs to replace the BVP-2. At NATO Days in 2017, the vehicle was demonstrated in action publicly. In 2018, GDELS unveiled the ASCOD 35 with the UT30MK2 turret, and in 2019 the ASCOD 42 with the same turret, alongside a version with the manned MT30. The ASCOD 42 with the UT30MK2 was the version that underwent official trials with the Czech Army, although ultimately, the CV90 was chosen.
The ASCOD 2 IFV (2017) during a demonstration
Characteristics
The ASCOD 2 IFV (2017) is fitted with the Rafael Samson Mk. II unmanned turret, equipped with a two-plane stabilised 30mm ATK Bushmaster MK44S autocannon. This cannon fires 30x173mm ammunition at 200 rounds/minute. It can use a variety of APDS, APFSDS and HE rounds – MK258 APFSDS has 116mm of penetration at 10m at 0°, firing at 1430m/s. The MK44S (S for Stretch) can fire the MK310 PABM-T airburst round.
As secondary armament, the turret is integrated with a dual Spike ATGM launcher, capable of firing the Spike-LR and Spike-LR2. The Spike-LR has armour penetration of over 700mm RHA, and a maximum range of 4000m. The Spike-LR2 has potentially 30% greater penetration with a new HEAT warhead, as well as a maximum range of 5.5km. It has a velocity of 180m/s, and also has counter-active protection system capabilities. Both variants are 130mm calibre fire-and-forget missiles.
The Samson Mk. II is fitted with an advanced FCS, with fully stabilised third-generation thermal sights for both the commander and gunner, hunter-killer capabilities and a laser rangefinder. No smoke grenade launchers are fitted on the turret, but the vehicle has a row of eight at the rear of the hull.
Close-up of the Samson Mk. II on the ASCOD 2 at IDET 2017
The ASCOD 35 hull is decently armoured for a light vehicle, with various potential configurations. The vehicle achieves a minimum of STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection, capable of resisting 14.5mm AP rounds around the entire vehicle. The vehicle can optionally be fitted to Level 5 or Level 6 protection. Although the specifications of the demonstrator vehicle were not revealed, it appears to be fitted to Level 5. The vehicle carries thick composite sideskirts — these are a slightly different design to the one on later ASCOD 42 variants, only covering the top half of the hull. Level 5 allows the vehicle to resist 25mm APDS rounds across the front and side of the hull. The Samson Mk. II has armour ranging from Level 1 to 4, and it is unknown what configuration it had in 2017.
The ASCOD 2 can be fitted with a number of different engines, although the ASCOD 35 appears to be limited to just the MTU 8V 199 TE20, connected to the RENK HSWL 106C3 transmission, providing 530kW / 710hp. The 710hp engine gives the ASCOD 2 a top speed of 70km/h forward and 33km/h in reverse. The vehicle can support a total weight of 35t, but is likely slightly lighter in this IFV configuration — no specific weight has been provided, however.
Conclusion
The ASCOD 2 (ASCOD 35) IFV (2017) would be an excellent, high rank IFV addition to the game, able to be added to a future Spanish / Iberian tech tree, or potentially into the Italian tree (as a Spanish vehicle). It would very likely sit at a BR of 10.7, with very similar capabilities to the KF41 minus the APS (and thus much closer to vehicles like the CV90 Mk. IV).
Specifications
Armament
- Samson Mk. II RCWS
- 30mm Bushmaster Mk44S
- 200rpm
- Ammunition
- MK238 HEI-T
- APDS
- 87mm at 0° at 10m
- MK258 APFSDS-T
- 116mm at 0° at 10m
- MK310 PABM-T (Airburst)
- Coaxial 7.62mm
- Spike-LR Launcher (2x missiles, likely 2x extra in hull)
- Spike-LR
- Tandem HEAT warhead, 130mm diameter
- 700mm RHA penetration
- 200-4000m range
- Spike-LR2
- Tandem HEAT warhead, 130mm diameter
- Over 700mm RHA penetration
- 200-5500m range
- Spike-LR
- Laser rangefinder
- Laser warning system
- 3rd generation thermals (commander + gunner)
- Unmanned
- 30mm Bushmaster Mk44S
Armour
- Hull and turret: STANAG 4569 Level 5
- 360° protection from 25mm APDS rounds
Mobility
- Speed
- 70km/h forward, 33km/h in reverse
- Weight
- ~33–35t
- Engine power
- 710hp, 20.3–21.5hp/t
Other
- Crew
- 3
- Smoke grenades
- 8 launchers
Images
Sources
Spoiler
The following list of sources is the same across all of my ASCOD IFV suggestions, and may cover variants not discussed in each individual suggestion
General Information
Vývoj vozidla ASCOD 42 pro tendr české armády na nová pásová vozidla pokračuje | Armádní noviny
GDELS Ascod BVP Samson turret to replace BMP-2 Czech army 10106171
IDET 2019: General Dynamics presents the ASCOD to replace the BMP-2
https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/eurosatory-2024-escribanos-remote-weapon-systems-to-upgrade-gdels-vehicles
Latvia to receive first ASCOD Hunter IFV from GDELS in early 2026
Romania to sign €2.5 billion contract in 2025 to equip up to 15 battalions with modern infantry fighting vehicles
Na tradičních Bahnech se veřejnosti představilo BVP ASCOD 42 a mostní vozidlo VFB ASCOD 35 | ARMYWEB.cz
Společnost GDELS na dnech NATO představí obrněné vozidlo ASCOD 42 | ČeskéNoviny.cz
New IFVs for the Czech Army: Parameters of Vehicle and Ammunition are Important | CZDEFENCE - czech army and defence magazine
In Slovakia, tests of tracked armored vehicles were carried out within the tender for new IFVs for the Slovak Armed Forces | CZDEFENCE - czech army and defence magazine
https://defence-blog.com/gdels-unveiled-new-variants-ascod-family-tracked-vehicles-eurosatory-2018/
https://defence-industry.eu/ascod-vehicle-with-trophy-system-presented-in-bucharest/
ASCOD Vehicle Presented in Kielce
Despite Odds Favoring CV90, Latvia Chose ASCOD For Its New IFV | Defense Express
https://www.gdels.com/en/media/news/gdels-premiers-four-new-offerings-at-eurosatory-2018-uq9t38cq6tyadho1gkxdfh01
https://www.gdels.com/en/products/tracked-vehicles/ascod
GDELS orders Elbit UT30 Mk 2 turret systems for ASCOD AFVs
https://www.outono.net/elentir/2025/01/30/la-historia-de-exito-del-vehiculo-blindado-ascod-derivado-del-vci-pizarro-espanol/
Bojové vozidlo pěchoty ASCOD 2 se představilo na Dnech NATO | OzbrojeneSlozky.cz
Hlavní přednosti bojových vozidel pěchoty vybíraných Armádou České republiky | OzbrojeneSlozky.cz
"Sargs.lv" skaidro: Kas ir kājnieku kaujas mašīna "Hunter" un ko tā dos bruņotajiem spēkiem? | Sargs.lv
Latvia Confirms First ASCOD Hunter Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Arrive in H1 2026, Full Fleet by 2027
ESCRIBANO Mechanical & Engineering prueba con éxito el sistema de protección activa Iron-Fist de Elbit Systems en su torre GUARDIAN 30 - TEDAE
GDELS Military Mobility Eurosatory |
https://www.zona-militar.com/2024/06/19/zm-en-eurosatory-gdels-presento-a-la-nueva-version-del-vcbr-6x6-pandur-equipado-con-un-sistema-de-mortero-de-120mm/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXmYfAk8DZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWpZis7YGoQ
Turrets / Weaponry
Guardian 30 de Escribano Mechanical & Engineering - Ejércitos – Sitio Web sobre Defensa, Armamento y Fuerzas Armadas
https://eme-es.com/en/guardian/
https://www.elbitsystems.com/unmanned/ground/unmanned-turrets/ut30mk2-mt30
Torrette UT30 Mk2 di Elbit Systems per IFV ASCOD
https://www.rafael.co.il/system/samson-30mm-mk-ii-rws/
https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Weapon-Ammmunition/D826e0222-30mm-Air-Burst-ABM-programming-kit.pdf
https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/30x173mm-Ammunition-Suite.pdf