ELBO Kentaurus

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Kentaurus
Kentaurus AIFV ΚΕΝΤΑΥΡΟΣ
General characteristics
Crew	3 + 8
Length	5.98 m
Width	2.55 m
Height	2.45 m
Weight	19.8 t
Armour and armament
Armour
Main armament	30 mm EBO cannon
Secondary armament	7.62 mm coaxial
Mobility
Power plant	MTU Friedrichshafen 420 hp
Suspension	(Lever Arm) Rotary Damper ^[1]
Road speed	75 km/h
Power/weight	21.2 hp/t
Range	500km

Kentaurus is an Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) designed and developed by the Greek vehicle builder ELBO. Its history is connected with the need for an advanced AIFV by the Greek Armed Forces.

After aborted efforts including Leonidas-2 variants and other attempted improvements and joint developments, ELBO worked entirely on its own, on a new design according to the specifications given at the time by the Greek Army. The resulting AIFV developed by the Greek company, named 'Kentaurus' ('ΚΕΝΤΑΥΡΟΣ'), was officially introduced in the Defendory Arms Exhibition in Athens in 1998, and at that time was one of the most advanced AIFV's in the world. 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 (street) is 75 Km/h and maximum weight is 19.8 tons. However, despite successful intensive tests by the Greek army, its approval, and an initial agreement in 2003 for an order of 140 vehicles, its fate is to this date uncertain due to subsequent cutbacks in relevant military spending, and evaluation of cheaper alternatives.