ELVO Kentaurus

Kentaurus ΚΕΝΤΑΥΡΟΣ
Kentaurus AIFV
Type	Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin	Greece
Production history
Designed	1996–1998
Manufacturer	ELVO
Specifications
Weight	19.8 t
Length	5.98 m (19 ft 7 in)
Width	2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
Height	2.45 m (8 ft 0 in)
Crew	3
Passengers	8
Armour	welded steel
Main armament	30 mm EBO cannon with 396 rounds
Secondary armament	7.62 mm coaxial with 1,600 rounds
Engine	MTU 6V 183TE22 diesel (11,000cc/725kg) 420 hp at 2,300 rpm
Power/weight	21.2 hp/t
Suspension	(Lever Arm) Rotary Damper
Ground clearance	v
Operational range	500 km (310 mi)
Speed	75 km/h (47 mph)

Kentaurus is an armored infantry fighting vehicle (ΑIFV) designed and developed by the Greek vehicle builder ELVO. Its history is connected with the need for an advanced AIFV by the Greek Armed Forces. The vehicle takes its name from the Greek word for Centaur the creature from Greek mythology. After aborted efforts including Leonidas-2 variants and other attempted improvements and joint developments, ELVO worked entirely on its own, on a new design according to the specifications given at the time by the Hellenic Army. The resulting AIFV developed by the Greek company, named 'Kentaurus' ('ΚΕΝΤΑΥΡΟΣ'), was officially introduced at the Defendory Arms Exhibition in Athens in 1998. It features a 420hp MTU Diesel engine, 30 mm EBO cannon and 7.62 mm machine-gun (built on Mauser and Rheinmetall designs), Pyrkal smoke-grenade launchers, Toxotis computerized fire control system and KUKA turret. The crew is 3+8, maximum speed on roads is 75 km/h and maximum weight is 19.8 tons.

Despite successful tests by the Greek army, its approval, and an initial agreement in 2003 for an order of 140 vehicles, its fate is uncertain due to subsequent cutbacks in relevant military spending, and evaluation of cheaper alternatives. In 2009 the Greek army signed an MoU for 450 BMP-3s but as of 2012 the contract was frozen and the Greek army is still looking for 500 IFV's to replace the ageing BMP-1 and the purchase of 500 Kentaurus IFV's is being considered.

The hull is made of welded steel. The engine is placed in the front-right compartment, with the driver in the front-left. The turret follows and then the troop compartment. The driver accesses his position either from a roof hatch or from the troop compartment. The commander is situated in the E-8 KUKA 1-man turret behind the driver. The troop compartment is accessed from two rear-doors, as well as from two roof-hatches. The squad leader sits alone, with the rest of the men at the sides in a 3-man and 4-man rows. The troops have two optical periscopes for situational awareness. The interior of the vehicle has been designed to permit comfortable movement for men of up to 1.90m height.