ASCOD VCI/C Pizarro (fase I)

ChieftainWarrior · September 26, 2024, 7:02pm

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VCI/C Pizarro (fase I)

TL;DR: First production batch of a Spanish IFV from a joint Austro-Spanish program, equipped with 30mm Mauser auto-cannon

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. They contacted Greece, Norway and Switzerland to discuss the requirements. In 1985, Austria’s Bundesheer revealed their requirements for a new IFV, named the Kampfschützenpanzer 90 (KSPz 90). This led to Steyr progressing further with development, but it became clear to them that Austria would not purchase any new IFVs soon, and that development costs would exceed Steyr’s budget.

This led to the formation of ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperative Development) – a merger of Steyr-Daimler-Puch and Santa Bárbara Sistemas. 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. The original prototype weighed 18.8t, but over the course of development, this soared to 28.3t (Pizarro fase 1 combat weight).

PT-1 (left) and PT-2 (right). The first two prototypes, and the only ones to have six road-wheels; PT-3 onwards had seven.

In 1994, Spain ordered four pre-production vehicles for further testing, and in 1996, placed an order for a first batch of 144 vehicles. These were called the Pizarro. Austria placed their order in 1999, for what they designated the Ulan. While the two vehicles are very similar, the Ulan has a few noteworthy changes over the Pizarro, notably a more powerful powerpack, and different armour composition.

A second production batch of the Pizarro was also ordered later, with the first Pizarro fase IIs arriving in the Spanish Army in 2016. Originally 212 vehicles (both VCI/C and engineering variants) were ordered, but this was cut down to 117, 83 of which are the VCI/Cs. The fase IIs incorporate a number of upgrades, not least of all being a larger hull. These vehicles are identifiable easily by their sideskirts being straighter.

Pizarro fase II (left) and Ulan (right)

Characteristics
The Pizarro is armed with a two-plane stabilised German 30mm Mauser MK30-2 autocannon. The cannon fires standard 30x173mm ammunition at 200 rounds per minute. It can use a variety of APDS, APFSDS and HE rounds – PMC287 APFSDS has 121mm of penetration at 10m at 0°, firing at 1480m/s, and the more recent PMC359 weighs 40% more and is fired at the same velocity, likely increasing its penetration. 300 rounds of 30mm ammunition are carried. The Pizarro also has a coaxial 7.62mm with 3800 rounds stored in the vehicle, with 400 for immediate use.

The Pizarro uses the Mk-10 fire control system produced by Spanish company Indra, consisting of fully stabilised first-generation thermal sights for the gunner and commander and a laser rangefinder. The cannon has elevation of -10°/+50°. There are six smoke grenade launchers along the turret sides, for a total of 12.

Turret diagram

The Pizarro has steel armour, protecting against 30mm AP projectiles across a narrow frontal arc (distance not specified). Otherwise, the hull and turret protect against 14.5mm AP rounds all around. The frontal plate of the Pizarro is fitted with SABLIR (alternatively called SBBR or SABBLIR) ERA. This functions similarly to Blazer ERA, and according to the manufacturer, reduces the penetration of chemical rounds by 95%. A number of different modules are available, including two capable of protection from the MILAN 1 ATGM and 106mm recoilless rifles, although I haven’t found any information on the specific one used on the Pizarro. This ERA is also mounted on the turret front.

The Pizarro is also fitted with spall liners in both the hull and turret, seen below.

Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 14.27.14
Screenshot 2024-09-23 at 14.28.14

The Pizarro is fitted with an MTU 8V183 TE22 engine, providing 600hp at 2300rpm. This is connected to an automatic RENK HSWL 106 C transmission, with 6 forward and 6 reverse gears. With a combat weight of 28.3t, this gives the Pizarro a power-to-weight ratio of 21.2hp/t. It has a top speed of 70km/h. It takes 20s for the vehicle to accelerate from stationary to 50km/h, and 30s to 60km/h.

Conclusion
The VCI/C Pizarro would be an excellent IFV for a future Iberian tree, or potentially as an Italian premium if Spain is never going to get their own tree. It would fit nicely at 9.0.

Specifications
Armament

30mm Mauser MK30-2
- 200rpm
- Ammunition
  - MK238 HEI-T
  - APDS
    - 87mm at 0° at 10m
  - PMC287 APFSDS-T
    - 121mm at 0° at 10m
  - PMC359 APFSDS-T
    - Greater than 121mm at 0° at 10m
7.62mm MG-3S coaxial
- 3,800 rounds
Vertical guidance
- +50°/-10°
Laser rangefinder
Gunner and commander thermals
- First-generation