ASCOD 2


The ASCOD '2, also known as the ASCOD SV' is an evolution of the ASCOD armoured vehicle with an increased weight capacity, and a more evolutive platform.
When initiated, this programme was focused on creating export opportunities.

History

An improved version of the ASCOD, called ASCOD 2, has been developed by General Dynamics and was presented in 2004.
When this variant was presented, it had the following characteristics:
  • Engine: MTU 8V 199T21,
  • Transmission: Renk HSWL 256 B
  • Tracks: Diehl 1028
  • Mass:
Over time, the capabilities of this variants were extended with the development of multiple sub-variants within the General Dynamics Land Systems group.

Early demonstrators

When the ASCOD 2 platform was released, GDELS presented several demonstrators to attract potential clients. These include:
In 2008, other demonstrators were shown:
  • An up-armoured variant named PSO was presented in 2008.
  • The Donar, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer using the ASCOD 2 chassis as a base, and the Artillery Gun Module of KMW, that reuses most weapon systems of the PzH 2000, but automates it. This prototype was used for mobility testing and firing trials in Germany.
Although none of these demonstrators led directly to sales, it was the first step into a commercial success, with hundreds of vehicles sold, and thousands potential sales ongoing as of 2025.

Variants

Latvian variant: ASCOD Hunter

Source:

Selection

The Latvian Army operates the British CVR which was purchased second hand. The first were received in September 2015 with some minimal upgrades, and the rest of the vehicles were delivered from 2016 to early 2020.
Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Latvian authorities have been looking for a successor to the CVR as it lacks some necessary technologies for the modern battlefield, and also as Latvia would like to support Ukraine with its existing armoured vehicles. The supply of the CVR to Ukraine was confirmed in September 2024.
The vehicles that were presented to Latvia and tested by its army include the ASCOD 2, the CV90, the K21 and the Otokar Tulpar. In March 2024, following the testing phase, leaks coming from South Korea suggested that the K21 demonstrated the best performances, and that it would likely be selected by Latvia. In November 2024, the Latvian ministry of defence selected the ASCOD 2 for its future IFV.
A first contract for 42 vehicles was signed in January 2025 estimated at a value of €373 million. In June 2025, the Latvian parliament approved the purchase of a second batch of 42 additional vehicles.

Production

In January 2025, with the contract signature, it was announced that the first vehicle is planned to be delivered in 2026, while the following 41 left will be delivered in 2027.
In May 2025, Patria announced that the vehicle would be assembled by them locally under licence.

Design

With the signature of the first batch, more information regarding the parts selected for the IFV were unveiled. It includes:
The Spanish Army has purchased in multiple steps variants of the ASCOD and the ASCOD 2 variants.

ASCOD

Still as part of the phase 2, the Spanish Army ordered armoured sapper vehicles to replace M113 vehicles with the same role:
  • 1 prototype of the VCZAP Castor
  • 35 VCZAP Castor
Its role as a sapper or armoured engineering vehicle is to support mechanical troops advancement by filling trenches, by clearing obstacles, demining paths and assist in river crossings. For these missions, all the vehicles come with a bulldozer blade, but this one can be switched for a mine plough, a roller, a breach marking system and a mine-clearing hose launcher.
This variant is equipped with the same engine as the ASCOD VCI/C Fase II, which is the MTU 8V199 TE20 that has a power of. This variant received the new local transmission, the SAPA SG850 which was initially planned for the VCI/C Fase II, but it wasn't ready back then. The vehicle can reach a weight of in mission, with up to of mission equipment.
In terms of armament, it received a Mini Samson RCWS M2 Browning equipped with a heavy machine gun for self defence.
The prototype of the VCZAP Castor was delivered at the end of 2018. The first six serial production vehicle was supplied in December 2023. The last delivery of the VCZAP Castor and the Phase II of the Spanish ASCOD programme took place in February 2025 with 9 vehicles.

VAC (Vehículo de Apoyo de Cadenas)

The Spanish Army looked for a solution to replace its TOA M-113. The locally made ASCOD 2 platform was ideal. TESS Defence offered an ASCOD 2 with the same electronic architecture as the . This vehicle was named.
In December 2023, the Spanish Army signed a contract for a first batch worth €2 billion for 394 vehicles.
The variants planned by the Spanish Army include:

ASCOD 2 MMBT (medium main battle tank)

presented this variant at Eurosatory 2018. It is an ASCOD 2 with a gross weight of equipped with the turret Hitfact 120mm from Leonardo. The turret is armed with a smoothbore tank gun of 120mm L/45 by Leonardo, a 7.62×51mm NATO coaxial machine gun, a 7.62×51mm NATO pintle-mounted gun, and a remote weapon station on the roof equipped with a 12.7×99mm NATO heavy machine gun. The tank gun is coupled to a fire control system with a laser range finder, enabling precise shooting in movement.

ASCOD 2 – Cobra bridge layer

The Cobra is an assault bridge that can be transported and installed on a medium weight armoured vehicles such as the Piranha V and the ASCOD 2. These bridges are certified for MLC 120.
This bridge layer system was presented at IDET 2019 in Brno.

ASCOD 2 – NEMESIS

The NEMESIS is a tracked artillery system using the Artillery Gun Module from KNDS Deutschland that was presented in May 2025 at FEINDEF in Mardrid. It is a further evolution of the DONAR that was presented in 2008
The specifications of the vehicle are:
  • Engine: MTU 8V199 TE23, with
  • Turret / armament:
  • * Gun: Rheinmetall 155mm L/52
  • * Fire rate: > 8 per minute
  • * Gun elevation: -2.5° to + 65°
  • * Azimuth: 360° at full charge
  • * Range:
  • ** with HE base bleed rounds
  • ** with Vulcano 155 Ballistic Extended Range
  • ** with Vulcano 155 Guided Long Range
  • * Payload:
  • ** 30 fused rounds
  • ** 144 modular charges
  • * MRSI for up to 5 rounds
  • * Shoot on the move capability, and shoot and scoot.

    Derivatives of the ASCOD 2

British Army – Ajax SV

As part of the programme SCOUT SV, the ASCOD 2 was presented against the CV90 to replace the CVR family, which included the FV107 Scimitar reconnaissance vehicle, the FV103 Spartan APC and the FV106 Samson armoured recovery vehicle.
In March 2010, the platform ASCOD 2 was chosen by the Ministry of Defence. This vehicle / programme was then renamed Ajax. Around 300 British engineers at General Dynamics UK's Oakdale facility began developing the Ajax from the ASCOD 2 after being awarded the contract in 2010. The Ajax program has been mired in problems centered around noise & vibration issues causing injuries to its operators. Over 300 personnel were injured and this resulted in claims for compensation against the MoD. Several being retired from service due to the damage done by the Ajax operating environment. The Ajax project was paused in April 2021 due to severe issues with the vehicle. GD promised to ‘mitigate’ the issues identified- not resolve them. In November 2025 Luke Pollard announced Initial Operating Capability claiming senior Army personnel had assured him the vehicle is now safe. It has subsequently emerged that during Ajax summer trials further Army personnel were hospitalised with blurred vision, fatigue, tinnitus, headaches and disorientation. A Ajax safety exposure limit of six operational hours a day has been placed on the vehicle. Evidence is mounting that Ajax still suffers deep seated problems.
The British Army received its first ASCOD SV in 2020.

Philippine Army variants

In January 2021, the Philippine Army awarded a contract to supply light tanks to Elbit Systems. In June 2021, the contract for 18 light tanks based on the ASCOD 2 was signed. The contract also included a fire support variant equipped with the same turret based on the Pandur II.
The ASCOD 2 variant is a light tank, equipped with a turret made and installed by Elbit Systems. The production of the chassis took place in Spain with GDELS - SBS.
In December 2023, the Philippine Army unveiled a command post armoured vehicle based on the ASCOD 2. It is equipped with an Elbit UT25 unmanned turret.
In May 2025, the latest batch was delivered, and it included also an armoured recovery variant.