ASCOD 2 (ASCOD 42) IFV (2019) (MT30)

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ASCOD 2 (ASCOD 42) IFV (2019) (MT30)

TL;DR: IFV variant of the ASCOD 2, in the ASCOD 42 configuration, fitted with the manned MT30 turret and Iron Fist hard-kill APS

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. In 2018, GDELS unveiled the ASCOD IFV equipped with the UT30MK2 turret designed by Elbit Systems, alongside the ASCOD MMBT (Medium Main Battle Tank). This IFV variant, simply referred to as ASCOD IFV, was in the ASCOD 35 configuration with no additional side armour. It was displayed at Eurosatory 2018 in two configurations, with and without the hard-kill Iron Fist Active Protection System.

The ASCOD IFV (ASCOD 35) at Eurosatory 2018 with and without Iron Fist

In 2019, a prototype based on the heavier ASCOD 42 chassis was revealed, featuring the same UT30MK2 turret and the Iron Fist APS. It featured heavy side appliqué armour, noticeably increasing its protection compared to the ASCOD 35-based IFV variants. This vehicle was first seen at IDET 2019, as part of GDELS’ effort to market the vehicle towards Czechia, alongside competitors like the CV90 and KF41. The Czech Army was seeking the acquisition of 210 tracked IFVs to replace the BVP-2. Also in 2019, due to Czech requirements, GDELS modified an ASCOD 42 vehicle to carry the manned MT30 turret, instead of the unmanned UT30MK2. This variant also featured an improved Iron Fist system, with 2x triple countermeasure launchers.

In 2021, the Czech Army tested the four main candidates, including the ASCOD 2 IFV showcased in 2019, albeit in a slightly modified configuration with a downgraded side armour package, also seen on later ASCOD 42 IFV models, and the unmanned turret. The manned turret configuration was displayed in Czechia, but never actually trialed with the Czech Army. However, it did undergo trials with the Slovak Army in 2022, as part of the tender for a new IFV. It competed alongside the CV90, Borsuk, and the KF41. The ASCOD reached one of the highest scores, beaten only by the CV90s. However, due to vibration issues, it was moved to third place. Ultimately, the CV90 won, and was selected for production for the Slovak Army.

1. The ASCOD IFV (ASCOD 42) with the manned MT30 on display in 2019. 2. The ASCOD IFV (ASCOD 42) with the manned MT30 during trials for the Slovak Army.

Characteristics
The ASCOD 2 IFV (2019) is fitted with the Elbit MT30 manned turret, equipped with a two-plane stabilised 30mm ATK Bushmaster MK44-ABM 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 ABM variant of the Bushmaster specifically enables the vehicle to fire Rheinmetall’s PMC308 airburst round. A 7.62mm machine gun is mounted coaxially.

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.

Two Iron Fist triple launchers are mounted on either side of the turret roof. Iron Fist provides 360° protection against all CE threats, and some KE threats (including APFSDS rounds). This gives the ASCOD a substantial boost in protection, particularly against helicopters, but also against enemy tanks. As a secondary layer of protection, the ASCOD IFV in this configuration has one set of four smoke grenade launchers on the turret roof.

Close-up of the MT30 on the ASCOD IFV (ASCOD 42) while on display

The MT30 turret is fitted with an advanced FCS, with fully stabilised third-generation thermal sights for both the commander and gunner, hunter-killer capabilities, a laser warning system and a laser rangefinder.

The ASCOD 42 hull is decently armoured for a light vehicle, with various potential configurations. The vehicle achieves a minimum of STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection across the frontal arc, and Level 3 across the sides, capable of resisting 14.5mm AP rounds frontally, and 7.62mm AP rounds around the entire vehicle. The vehicle can optionally be fitted to Level 5 or even Level 6 protection. This demonstrator vehicle on trials with Slovakia was upgraded to Level 5, enabling it to resist 25mm APDS rounds across the front and side of the hull. The MT30 can reach around Level 4 base, resisting 14.5mm AP rounds all around.

The ASCOD 2 (ASCOD 42) IFV (2019) (MT30) during firing trials in Slovakia

The ASCOD 2 can be fitted with a number of different engines: the ASCOD 42 tends to be advertised with the MTU 8V 199 TE21, connected to the RENK HSWL 256 B transmission, providing 600kW / 816hp. However, the ASCOD 42 can also be fitted with an 800–810kW (1100hp) engine, although this is not confirmed to be fitted to any of the demonstrators. The 816hp 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 42t, but is likely lighter in this IFV configuration — no specific weight has been provided, however.

Conclusion
The ASCOD 2 (ASCOD 42) IFV (2019) (MT30) would be an excellent, high rank IFV addition to the game, able to be added to a future Spanish / Iberian tech tree, potentially into the Italian tree (as a Spanish vehicle), or even to a future Czechoslovakian tree, given its trials with the Slovak Army in this configuration. It would very likely sit at a BR of 11.0, with very similar capabilities to the KF41.

Specifications

Armament

• MT30 Turret
  • 30mm Bushmaster Mk44-ABM
    • 200rpm
    • Ammunition
      • MK238 HEI-T
      • APDS
        • 87mm at 0° at 10m
      • MK258 APFSDS-T
        • 116mm at 0° at 10m
      • PMC308 Ahead
        • 44mm at 0° at 10m
  • 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
  • Iron Fist Active Protection System
    • Hard-kill
    • 2x triple countermeasure launchers
    • 360° protection against CE and some KE threats
  • Laser rangefinder
  • Laser warning system
  • 3rd generation thermals (commander + gunner)
  • Manned

Armour

• Hull: STANAG 4569 Level 5
  • Protection against 25mm APDS rounds across the frontal arc ± 30° sides included
• Turret: STANAG 4569 Level 4
  • 360° protection from 14.5mm AP rounds

Mobility

• Speed
  • 70km/h forward, 33km/h in reverse
• Weight
  • ~40–42t
• Engine power
  • 816hp, 19.4–20.4hp/t

Other

• Crew
  • 3
• Smoke grenades
  • 4 launchers

Images

Spoiler

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