MOWAG Roland explained

MOWAG Roland
Origin:Switzerland
Is Vehicle:yes
Used By:Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Greece, Iraq
Manufacturer:MOWAG
Production Date:1964 - 1980
Number:> 500
Variants:Military version, Police Version
Weight:4400kg (9,700lb)
Length:4.73m (15.52feet)
Width:2.05m (06.73feet)
Height:2.1m (06.9feet)
Crew:1 driver + 1 commander + 4PAX
Primary Armament:Customer Specific machine guns
Secondary Armament:modification with unguided rockets
Engine:V 8 Chrysler LA 318-3
Engine Power:160 hp
Transmission:NP 435 mechanical gears 4 forward gears 1 reverse
Suspension:4x4 wheeled
Speed:1000NaN0

The MOWAG Roland is an armoured personnel carrier of Swiss origin. The vehicle was developed in 1960 and the prototype was tested in 1963. The Roland production was from 1964 to 1980.

Design

The Roland was designed for a variety of tasks: ambulance, reconnaissance, armoured troop carriers, riot /protests control and as rocket launcher.

There is a searchlight mounted on the front, directly behind it is a rotary roof section for a machine gun (MG) or a tower for a heavy machine gun MG, which is operated by the commander. The engine is in the rear, on the left side of the vehicle. On the right side, in the rear and on the left side of the vehicle are doors fitted for the vehicle occupants to enter or exit.[1]

Some African operators have their MOWAG Roland equipped with multiple rocket launchers for 5 unguided rockets.[2] MOWAG Roland vehicles for police units typically do not have a gun, but are equipped with a siren, blue light, searchlight, loud speakers and a V-shaped dozer blade.

Variants

Operators

Over 500 Mowag Rolands were produced and shipped to countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Greece (army and police), Mexico, Peru and in various Police Departments in Switzerland.

Operators list

(30) [3]

On display

The Schweizerisches Militärmuseum Full has a display of a Roland MOWAG from the Bern Cantonal Police. This model is exhibited with a plow attached and was in use until 1997.[4]

See also

Comparable vehicles

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Marcus Bauer, Nutzfahrzeuge der MOWAG Motorwagenfabrik AG, Fachpresse Goldach, Hudson & Company, 1996
  2. Foss, Christopher F. Jane's Armour and Artillery 1987–88. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1987.
  3. Web site: Trade Registers . 2023-06-16 . armstrade.sipri.org.
  4. Militärmuseum Full Switzerland