Mowag Piranha IV

The Piranha IV is the fourth generation of the Piranha family of armoured vehicles by MOWAG GmbH. Its development started in the 2000s as a fully private venture. A first prototype was unveiled in 2001, and a second in 2004.[4] This new version offered an increased volume inside the cabin, and a higher level of protection.

Piranha IV
Swiss Army Piranha IV, known as "Mörser 16", a 120mm mortar carrier (RUAG Cobra)
TypeArmoured fighting vehicle
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
In serviceFrom 2024
Used bySwiss Armed Forces
Production history
DesignedPrototype revealed in 2001
Manufacturer GDELS-Mowag GmbH
ProducedSerial production from 2021
No. built132 ordered
Specifications
MassGVM 25 t, kerb 15 t, payload 10 t (equipment weapons, additional armour, crew and passengers) [1]
Length7.24 m (285 in)
Width2.80 m (110 in)
Height2.20 m (87 in) for the base variant
Crew3 (+ 6 or 7 passengers)
ArmorFront armour AP 20 mm / 23 mm

All-around armour AP 14.5 mm
Floor protection against anti-tank mines and ied (10 kg TNT equ.)

STANAG 4569 level 5 add-on armour available [2]
EngineMTU 6V 199TE20
544 hp (400 kW)
Power/weight21.76 hp/t (16 kW/t)
TransmissionZF Ecomat 7HP 902 gearbox,
(7 gears front + 1 reverse)[3]
SuspensionAdjustable height, semi-active, hydro-pneumatic
Operational
range
750 km
Maximum speed 100 km/h

As the Piranha IV was being developed, the ownership of MOWAG changed. It was acquired by General Dynamics in 2004 to become part of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).[5]

History

Following the previous version of the Piranha (Piranha III) and its derivatives (LAV III, Stryker), a need for a larger and better protected vehicle arose from the international weapons market.

The solution offered by Mowag was a 8x8 with an internal volume of 12 m3 (11 m3 for the Piranha IIIC). The mass of the vehicle was increased to 25 t (18.5 t for the Piranha IIIC). Despite this weight increase, the mobility of the vehicle was improved thanks to a new suspension design, and a more powerful engine with its adapted transmission.[6]

This new generation of the Piranha family triggered the interest of foreign manufacturers. A licences for its production was acquired by Alvis Vickers (which became BAE Systems Platforms & Services) with the intention to manufacture the Piranha IV in the UK and in South Africa.[7] Another licence was acquired by Komatsu which was looking for a 8x8 platform for the Future Wheeled Combat Vehicle (Shorai Sorin Sento Sharyo), of the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force. Neither ever manufactured the Piranha IV. The Japanese army selected the Type 16 for this role, and there was never a proper interest by the UK for this platform.

Indeed, in 2007, the UK launched the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) competition for a heavy multi-role armoured vehicle after having cancelled its participation in the Boxer collaboration. The British Armed Forces were looking for a much higher protection level than was possible with the Piranha IV. GDELS Mowag therefore presented a new generation of the Piranha family in 2007, the PIRANHA Evolution.[8] It was pre-selected with the Boxer and the VBCI, it won the competition but was never ordered due to a budget crunch of the UK armed forces. But despite losing the program, GDELS-Mowag developed this variant further, which became the Piranha V (33 tons). With this 4th anf 5th generations, GDELS-Mowag is able to offer 8x8 armoured vehicles in several weight categories, and to compete in the heavy category against the Boxer, the VBCI, the Patria AMV, and the Freccia IFV which in the end enabled the sale of the Piranha V for Denmark, Spain, Romania and Monaco.

Variants

12 cm Mörser 16

A mortar carrier of the Swiss Armed Forces:

  • Based on the standard Piranha IV chassis and running gear
  • 120 mm RUAG Cobra automated mortar system
  • Protector RWS equipped with a 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gun
  • Roof opening
  • Space for up to 30 rounds
  • Crew: 1 driver, 1 commander, 2 loaders
  • Connected to the Integrated Artillery Command and Fire Control System 97/14 - INTAFF TA

Orders

The financing for this variant was integrated to the 2016 Armament Program. A need for 4 batteries of 8 mortar carriers each, i.e. 32 systems was defined. For its support, 12 armoured trucks for the logistics, and 36 ammunition containers were also ordered in the same program.[9] This order including the logistics amounts to CHF404 million.

A second order for 2 batteries was notified in August 2022. This order came as a reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The budget for the 16 mortar systems amounts to CHF175 million.[10]

Delivery

Initially, it was supposed to be delivered from 2018 to 2022. Some problems with the artillery system and the roof waterproofing delayed the program. The serial production started in February 2021 after having successfully passed the trials by the troops in the spring of 2020. It will be delivered to the troop from 2024.[11]

  • Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16
    Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16
  • Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16
    Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16
  • Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16
    Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16

PI PZ 21 (Pionier Panzerfahrzeug 21)

A sapper vehicle for the Swiss Armed Forces:

  • Based on the standard Piranha IV chassis and running gear
  • Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) provides the Quick Coupler Adapter (QCA), additional supporting equipments and some of the attachments: [12]
    • Combat dozer blades
    • Dozer Blade Manipulators (Remote manipulator arms, used to identify and manipulate explosive threats)

This vehicle will replace the fleet of M113 Minenräumpanzer 63/00 (demining armoured vehicle). Its predecessor was only focused on the demining mission. As the urbanization of Switzerland increased, some additional needs arose. As part of the demining mission is now performed by the Kodiak (Leopard 2), a more all-around pioneer vehicle was relevant. The IEDs experienced by the NATO countries in Afghanistan also defined the need for an articulated arm for ordinance disposal. And the need for a more mobile system is a reason for the shift towards a wheeled platform.[15]

Orders

As part of the Armament Program 2021, the Swiss Armed Forces ordered 60 Piranha IV Pioneer Vehicles. The budget for this program amounts to CHF360 million.[16] The order between GDELS Mowag and Armasuisse was signed on the 2nd of May 2022.[17] The list of attachment ordered with this contract is:

As part of the Armament Program 2023, the Swiss Armed Forces ordered a second batch of 24 Piranha IV Pioneer Vehicles. The budget for this program amounts to CHF217 million.[16] The list of attachment for this batch was not specified.

Delivery

From 2025, expected to be in service from 2026 to 2055.

  • Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
    Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
  • Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
    Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
  • Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
    Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
  • Piranha IV - PI PZ 21
    Piranha IV - PI PZ 21

Operators

Successful bids
  •  Swiss Army (132)
    • 48 Piranha IV - 12 cm Mortar 16
    • 84 Piranha IV - PI PZ 21

Evaluation-only

References
  1. "Piranha". globalsecurity.
  2. "Swiss Army Reveals Mörser 16 120mm Mortar System". MilitaryLeak. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  3. "Mowag Piranha IIIH". ArmyVehicles.dk. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  4. "PIRANHA III / LAV III Armoured Wheeled Vehicles". Army Technology. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  5. "Our History | General Dynamics". www.gd.com. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  6. "Piranha". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. Now Alvis Vickers has a licence to market Piranha IV in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
  8. "PIRANHA V Armoured Wheeled Vehicle". Army Technology. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  9. Armament program 2016 of the Swiss Army
  10. ES&T Redaktion (2022-08-05). "Schweizer Armee soll zweite Tranche des Mörser 16 erhalten". esut.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  11. "En route vers le mortier 12 cm 16". En route vers le mortier 12 cm 16 (in French). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  12. "GDELS–Mowag contract won by GCS". GCS. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  13. "Surface Laid Mine Clearance". Pearson Engineering. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  14. GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag. "Vehicle renewal for combat engineers". Mediathek VBS (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  15. Armament Program 2021
  16. "Le message sur l'armée 2023 du DDPS". Département fédéral de la défense, de la protection de la population et des sports (in French). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  17. "Signature du contrat de renouvellement des véhicules pour les sapeurs et sapeuses de char". Signature du contrat de renouvellement des véhicules pour les sapeurs et sapeuses de char (in French). Retrieved 2023-04-04.


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