Too LIte ... Too Late

The Pinzgauer Vector is a 4x4 or 6X6 off road light utility vehicle withn a 2.5 litre air cooled engine whose origins lie in a vehicle originally designed and built by Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria as a bigger version of the very agile Haflinger off roader. It was first produced in 1965.(Pinzgau = region of Austria incl. Salzburg)

Automotive Technik founded by David Findlay and Alan Mawer as the UK agents for Steyr-Daimler-Puch imported the Puch Super G which they introduced to the Fire Service and the Pinzgauer which they sold into both the UK military and Fire Services.(Not available for private or commercial use - although ex Mil. vehicles available here and here)

In 2000 Automotive Technik Holdings Limited (ATL) took over the production rights for the Pinzgauer offering full manufacturing capability at its sites in the south of England. In their turn they were taken over by Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. a key supplier to the US Army. In March this year the company name was changed to Pinzgauer Ltd and then in May S & S were taken over by fast growing, US aerospace and defence group Armor Holdings Inc., manufacturer of security products for vehicle armo(u)ring and soldier protection (body armo(u)r).

The MOD on Mon 24th July, announced 100 Pinzgauer "Vector" were purchased from Armor Holdings for US$27Mn. So that's £250,000 a pop, delivery to commence "Autumn 2006" but are not expected in Afghanistan until at least spring 2007. Although the Daily Telegraph in April had announced only 80 vehicles were being purchased for £35 Mn. Drawings here.

Today The Pinzgauer is produced exclusively in the United Kingdom at factories in Fareham (Hampshire) and Guildford (Surrey). The MOD have purchased the newer 6 X 6 Protected Patrol Vehicle which has been developed Under the UK MoD’s ‘Project Vector’ with additional features to protect the lives of soldiers on operational duties overseas, but it appears will not provide protection from the latest IED's.

Shadow Defence Minister Gerald Howarth received a soldier’s view of Britain’s renowned Pinzgauer all-terrain vehicle on Wednesday 12th July 2006 when he was taken on an “exhilarating” off-road test drive. Previously on Friday, July 7, Mr Howarth had toured the Guildford factory. Army forum discussion here from less than admiring squaddies(?) unimpressed by the lightweight engine and load carrying. Interesting view on MOD procurement from Eureferendum here.

Apparently the Pinzgauer is described as being designed "to withstand two NATO L2A2 hand grenades detonating simultaneously only 150mm below the floor pan. These grenades would normally carry a lethality radius of 5 metres." ... Eureferendum alarmingly described them in June as "coffins on wheels", more comment here on the parlous state of protection for the UK PBI.