Mowag Piranha IV explained

Piranha IV
Origin:Switzerland
Type:Armoured fighting vehicle
Is Vehicle:yes
Service:From 2024
Used By:Swiss Armed Forces
Design Date:Prototype revealed in 2001
Manufacturer:GDELS-Mowag GmbH
Production Date:Serial production from 2021
Number:132 ordered (May 2023)
Weight:GVM 25t
(15t kerb weight + 10 t payload) [1]
Length:7.24 m (285 in)
Width:2.80 m (110 in)
Height:2.20 m (87 in) for the base variant
Crew:3 (+ 6 or 7 passengers)
Engine:MTU 6V 199TE20
Engine Power:544 hp (400 kW)
Pw Ratio:21.76 hp/t (16 kW/t)
Transmission:ZF Ecomat 7HP 902 gearbox,
(7 gears front + 1 reverse)[2]
Suspension:Adjustable height, semi-active, hydro-pneumatic
Vehicle Range:750km (470miles)
Speed:100km/h

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.[3] This new version offered an increased volume inside the cabin, and a higher level of protection.

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.[4]

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 8×8 with an internal volume of 12m2 (compared to the 11 m3 of the Piranha IIIC). Vehicle weight was 25t (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.[5]

This new generation of the Piranha family triggered the interest of foreign manufacturers. A licence 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.[6] 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. In the end, neither company manufactured the Piranha IV; the Japanese army selected the Type 16 for the role, and there was never a proper interest by the UK.

In 2007, the UK launched the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) competition for a heavy multi-role armoured vehicle after cancelling 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".[7] It was selected for FRES, along with the Boxer and the VBCI for FRES Utility Variant (UV) trials and the Piranha V with General Dynamics UK was chosen as the preferred bidder to develop the Piranha into a vehicle to meet British requirements but the UV requirement was dropped due to budget cuts and the decision reversed.[8] Despite losing the program, GDELS-Mowag developed this variant further into the 33-tonne Piranha V. GDELS-Mowag is able to offer 8×8 armoured vehicles in several weight categories including competing in the heavy category against the Boxer, the VBCI, the Patria AMV, and the Freccia IFV. This enabled the sale of the Piranha V to Denmark, Spain, Romania and Monaco.

Design

One of the main differences with the former Piranha vehicles is the protection level.

Variants in service

Mortar Carrier – "12 cm Mörser 16"

This weapon system was developed for the Swiss Armed Forces, by GDELS Mowag and RUAG. Some of the main elements of its design are:

Origin of the variant

The Swiss Army expressed the need for a more mobile heavy mortar system, and evaluated a need for 4 batteries to fulfil its mission. The need for a heavy mortar system arose after the Swiss Government decided to stop using the, "lm fort 12 cm 59/86" (fortress twin-mine launcher 12 cm) and the 15,5 cm Festungskanone 93 (an artillery gun 155mm Caliber L/52).[10]

Sapper Vehicle – "PI PZ 21 (Pionier Panzerfahrzeug 21)"

This sapper vehicle was developed for the Swiss Armed Forces, by GDELS Mowag and various subcontractors for the tools.

Some of the main elements of its design are:

Origin of the variant

As part of the Armament Program 2021, this vehicle was designed to replace the fleet of Minenräumpanzer – M113 63/00, a demining armoured vehicle. In the Swiss Army, the M113 63/00 is not the only sapper vehicle in service. Since 2008, the Kodiak (Leopard 2) was introduced, its mission being to support a heavy assault to breach minefields, trenches, and ditches.

The Swiss Army needed therefore a Sapper System complementary to the Kodiak. Moreover, the urbanisation of Switzerland having increased implied that some additional capabilities were needed on top of the demining mission and it would have to be modular to exploit the investment to the fullest.

Prototypes

Piranha IV 6×6 Korsak – "Spähfahrzeug Next Generation"

The German Army is looking for a successor to the Fennek scout vehicle. GDELS Mowag offered a Piranha 6×6 variant at around 20 tonnes, meaning that it's derived of the Piranha IV.[15]

Piranha IV 8×8 StratCom – "Richtfunkpanzer"

The StratCom (Strategic Communication Systems) was presented by GDELS at Eurosatory 2024. It is equipped with a 15-meter communication mast system with point-to-point radio systems, and a C4I command system.[16] It is likely to become the successor of the Swiss Army "Radio Access Point Panzer".

Piranha IV 10×10 RCH-155 – "Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026"

Project Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026[17] was a Swiss Army project for a successor to its M109 Kawest tracked self-propelled howitzers. In 2022, two systems were shortlisted. The first was the BAE Systems Hägglunds Archer Artillery System to use the RMMV HX2 8×8 chassis (the integration on a truck is in development), the second was the German Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH 155) on either the Boxer or Piranha IV platform. The Boxer was already developed, and in trials at the time but the Piranha IV would have to be integrated with the gun system. To that end GDELS Mowag and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann started to collaborate on a variant of the RCH-155. In May 2023, the first models of the prototype in development were revealed; the gun system would be installed on a Piranha IV 10×10 platform. This would provide the crew with more space compared to the Boxer based variant; this meant the whole artillery crew could be within the vehicle rather than operate some parts of the system remotely.

Piranha IV 10×10 HMC – "Heavy Mission Carrier"

The vehicle takes the chassis developed for the RCH-155 mounted variant, and can be fitted for various missions. GDELS announced this variant in April 2024. It is designed for a 17 tons payload, and a total weight of up to 40 tons. The axles 1, 2, 4 and 5 are steered. The turning circle is lower than 18 meters.[18]

Operators

Successful bids

(132 vehcles)

Potential sales

German Army (92 + option for 160 scout + 30 communication vehicles)
(36)
  • The Spanish Army is looking for a successor to the M109A5.[20] The total desired is of 36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers, and 109 tracked howitzers. GDELS-SBS is offering the Piranha Advanced Artillery Carrier (Piranha IV) and the ASCOD 2 platforms on which the RCH-155 modules would be installed.
    The Piranha IV - RCH-155 artillery system is competing to become the next Swiss Army self-propelled howitzer.

    Failed bids

    Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
  • Komatsu proposed the Piranha IV for the Future Wheeled Combat Vehicle Program (Shorai Sorin Sento Sharyo). The competition was lost against the Type 16 Manoeuvre Combat Vehicle (Hitoroku shiki kidō sentōsha) developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[21]
    Polish Army
  • In 2002, Poland selected the future multi-role vehicle intended to replace the OT-64 SKOT, the BMP-1, some command vehicles, mortar carriers and some armoured engineering vehicles. The competitor for this contract were the Piranha IV, the Pandur 2 (8×8) and the Patria AMV. This last one won the competition, and has been manufactured in Poland under the name KTO Rosomak.[22]
    Royal Netherlands Army
  • RDM Technology received a licence from Mowag to manufacture the Piranha IV for the Dutch Army. RDM offered the Piranha as a competitor to the Boxer in 2000 as a replacement option of the M577 and the YPR-765.[23]

    Procurement details

    Switzerland (132)

    48 Piranha IV – 12 cm Mörser 16

    84 Piranha IV – PI PZ 21 (Pionier Panzerfahrzeug 21)

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Piranha . 9 May 2013 . globalsecurity . en-US.
    2. Web site: Mowag Piranha IIIH . 2023-04-04 . Danish Army Vehicles . en-US.
    3. Web site: PIRANHA III / LAV III Armoured Wheeled Vehicles . 2023-04-03 . November 20, 2020 . Army Technology . en-US.
    4. Web site: Our History . General Dynamics . 2023-04-03 . www.gd.com . en.
    5. Web site: Piranha . 2023-04-04 . www.globalsecurity.org.
    6. Now Alvis Vickers has a licence to market Piranha IV in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
    7. Web site: Piranha V Armoured Wheeled Vehicle . 2023-04-04 . Army Technology . en-US.
    8. Web site: House of Commons Hansard Ministerial Statements . 11 Dec 2008. parliament.uk. 4 August 2016.
    9. Web site: Swiss Army Reveals Mörser 16 120mm Mortar System . 2023-04-04 . MilitaryLeak . en-US.
    10. Web site: Site de Saxon . 2023-06-01 . CIPAD . fr-FR.
    11. Web site: GmbH . General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag . Vehicle renewal for combat engineers . 2023-04-04 . Mediathek VBS . de.
    12. Web site: GDELS–Mowag contract won by GCS . 2023-04-04 . GCS . en-GB.
    13. Web site: Surface Laid Mine Clearance . 2023-04-04 . Pearson Engineering . en-GB.
    14. Armament Program 2021
    15. Web site: 2024-08-05 . Spähfahrzeug Next Generation – Dreikampf um den Korsak . 2024-08-07 . de-DE.
    16. Web site: 2024-06-17 . Radhaubitze, Panzermörser und Richtfunkpanzer – GDELS stellt neue Fahrzeugvarianten auf der Eurosatory vor . 2024-07-09 . de-DE.
    17. Web site: Neues Artilleriesystem: Shortlist-Entscheid getroffen . 2023-06-01 . www.admin.ch.
    18. Web site: 2024-04-15 . Heavy Mission Carrier – GDELS stellt 10x10-Plattform auf Basis des Piranha IV vor . 2024-04-15 . de-DE.
    19. Web site: 2024-08-09 . TaWAN – Angebot der Industrie offenbar deutlich über Budget . 2024-08-12 . de-DE.
    20. Web site: Spain to acquire 145 advanced self-propelled howitzers .
    21. Web site: Piranha III / LAV III Armoured Wheeled Vehicles . 2023-06-01 . Army Technology . en-US.
    22. Web site: Poland Orders Additional 200 Rosomak Armored Vehicles . 2023-10-01 . www.defensemirror.com.
    23. Web site: OuinetAdmin . 2000-10-10 . RDMT Extends Piranha Offer To Dutch Army (Oct. 11) . 2023-08-20 . Defense aerospace . en-US.
    24. Armament program 2016 of the Swiss Army
    25. Web site: ES&T Redaktion . 2022-08-05 . Schweizer Armee soll zweite Tranche des Mörser 16 erhalten . 2023-04-04 . esut.de . de-DE.
    26. Web site: En route vers le mortier 12 cm 16 . 2023-04-04 . En route vers le mortier 12 cm 16 . fr.
    27. Web site: Le message sur l’armée 2023 du DDPS . 2023-05-28 . Département fédéral de la défense, de la protection de la population et des sports . fr.
    28. Web site: Signature du contrat de renouvellement des véhicules pour les sapeurs et sapeuses de char . 2023-04-04 . Signature du contrat de renouvellement des véhicules pour les sapeurs et sapeuses de char . fr.