This edition of IDET will be of great importance for the Czech Armed Forces because it will feature the four key candidates for the largest contract in the history of the Czech Republic's Armed Forces going on the acquisition of 210 infantry tracked combat vehicle (to replace the BMP-2 currently in service in the Czech Armed Forces). Among those candidates, General Dynamics European Land Systems is offering the ASCOD vehicle to the Czech Army.

The ASCOD IFV of General Dynamics European Land Systems showcased during IDET 2019, Brno in Czech Republic (Picture Source: Army Recognition)

The Czech Army currently operates 185 soviet era BMP-2 (marked as BVP-2 in Czech for bojové vozidlo pěchoty) tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV). Those were produced during the 1980s in Czechoslovakia under a licence, and they were the second generation of the BMP-1 originating in the 1960s (the Czech Army has still nearly 170 of those in reserve). Since 2013 options concerning either a modernization of the BMP-2 or its replacement were considered. The vehicles serve with two mechanized battalions of the 7th mechanized brigade, and with several other units.

This edition of IDET will indeed be of great importance for the Czech Armed Forces because it will feature the key candidates for the largest contract in the history of the Czech Republic's Armed Forces worth 53 billion Czech crowns (2,3 billion $US). The 210 infantry tracked combat vehicle contractor (aiming to replace the BMP-2 currently in service in the Czech Armed Forces) is likely to be selected among four companies, including British BAE Systems (CV-90), Spanish General Dynamics European Land Systems (ASCOD), and two German companies PSM (PUMA) and Rheinmetall Landsysteme (LYNX).

General Dynamics European Land Systems is exhibiting its ASCOD, a versatile and powerful tracked armoured land platform, built on proven technology and best practices from previous programmes (Spanish PIZARRO, Austrian ULAN, or even British SV), and responding to current and future operational threats. Almost 1,000 vehicles are currently deployed or in-series produced within NATO allies, proving its combat efficiency and reliability.

Survivability, mobility and reliability are the main features of this modular medium-weight armoured vehicle. Ready for decisive action in any theatre of operation as part of heavy armoured units and with different roles. Airborne capable, ready for prompt operation and highly reliable, this is the advanced, versatile result of extensive research into the requirements of the 21st century. ASCOD stands for speed, optimal protection and immediate performance day and night regardless of weather conditions. It is net-enabled and supports any state-of-the-art Command and Control architecture. Worldwide ILS and easy maintenance mark all variants of the ASCOD.