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. 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.

History

Following the previous version of the Piranha and its derivatives, a need for a larger and better protected vehicle arose from the international weapons market.
The solution offered by Mowag was an 8×8 with an internal volume of . Vehicle weight was . Despite this weight increase, the mobility of the vehicle was improved thanks to a new suspension design and a more powerful engine.
This new generation of the Piranha family triggered the interest of foreign manufacturers. A licence for its production was acquired by Alvis Vickers with the intention to manufacture the Piranha IV in the UK and in South Africa. Another licence was acquired by Komatsu which was looking for an 8x8 platform for the "Future Wheeled Combat Vehicle" 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 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". It was selected for FRES, along with the Boxer and the VBCI for FRES Utility Variant 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. 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

The following vehicles are in service, or in development to enter service.

Piranha IV 8×8

"''12 cm Mörser 16"'' – Mortar Carrier

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" and the 15,5 cm Festungskanone 93. This weapon system was developed for the Swiss Armed Forces, by GDELS Mowag and RUAG. Some of the main elements of its design are:Vehicle
  • * Piranha IV chassis and running gear
  • * Roof opening
  • * Space for up to 30 rounds
  • * Crew: 1 driver, 1 commander, 2 loadersWeapon systems
  • * 120 mm automated mortar system connected to the "Integrated Artillery Command and Fire Control System" 97/14 - INTAFF TA
  • * Protector RWS equipped with a 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun

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

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.
  • The choice for a wheeled platform was justified by a need for a more mobile army.
  • The blade was selected to enable the army to open a path where it would be needed
  • The manipulator arm was a need defined from the return on experience of the NATO countries in Afghanistan and Iraq that were the target of an important number of IED attacks. It enables to perform ordnance disposal from a well-protected vehicle. 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:Vehicle
  • * Standard Piranha IV chassis and running gear
  • * Amphibious capacity
  • * Crew: 1 driver, 1 commander, 2 sappersWeapon system
  • * Protector RWS equipped with a 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gunSapper equipment
  • * Quick Coupler Adapter – provided by System that enables to change rapidly the tools / attachments depending on the mission
  • * Mine plough – provided by A mine plough designed to clear the mines laid in surface
  • * Combat Bulldozer Blade – provided by GCS
  • * Blade Manipulator Arm – provided by GCS A remote manipulator arm used to manipulate in order to identify and treat explosive threats
  • * 2 light spots in the front
  • * Cameras for the technician and the drive

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.

''Piranha AAC'' (Advanced Artillery Carrier)

The programme "Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026" is a Swiss Army project for a successor to its M109 Kawest tracked self-propelled howitzers.
In 2022, two systems were shortlisted for the programme:
  • A variant of the Archer Artillery System of BAE Systems Hägglunds, to be based on the RMMV HX2 8×8 chassis.
  • The KMW RCH 155 with two chassis options:
  • * Boxer A3
  • * Piranha IV 10×10 which at the time of the bid would have to be developed GDELS Mowag collaborated with KMW to develop the Piranha variant. The advantage of this variant is to provide more space for the crew, more stability, and the capacity to shoot at full power at 360°. In November 2024,, the Swiss Armed Forces selected the RCH-155 artillery system. The Armed forces started to prepare the contracts for approval by the parliament, and to integrate the command and communication system into the platform.

Procurement

Switzerland (132)

48 ''Piranha IV –'' ''12 cm Mörser 16''

  • Armament Program 2016 – 32 Piranha IV Mortar Carriers:
  • * Budget for this program amounts to CHF 404 million
  • * The Budget in the program also includes funds for:
  • ** 12 armoured trucks for the logistics dedicated to the mortar batteries
  • ** 36 12 cm mortar ammunition containers
  • Extraordinary order in August 2022 – 16 Piranha IV Mortar Carriers. This order came as a reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022:
  • * Budget for this program amounts to CHF 175 million
  • Entry in service in the army planned in 2025 It was initially planned from 2018 to 2022, but some design flaws delayed the program. After having resolved the flaws and successfully passed the trials by the troops in the spring of 2020, the serial production was approved in February 2021.

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

  • Armament Program 2021 – 60 Piranha IV Pioneer Vehicles ordered:
  • * Budget for this program amounts to CHF 360 million
  • * Contract between GDELS Mowag and Armasuisse signed on 2 May 2022
  • * It includes:
  • ** 60 combat dozer blades
  • ** 24 remote manipulator arms
  • ** 12 mine ploughs
  • Armament Program 2023 – 24 Piranha IV Pioneer vehicles ordered:
  • * Budget for this purchase amounts to CHF 217 million
  • Service life: arrival in the army planned in 2025, with an expected service life from 2026 to 2055

Piranha IV 10×10 - ''Piranha AAC'' (Advanced Artillery Carrier)

In November 2024,, as port of the programme Artillerie "Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026", the Swiss Armed Forces selected the RCH-155 artillery system. The Armed forces are preparing the contracts for approval by the parliament, and to integrate the command and communication system into the platform.

Operators summary

Successful bids

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Potential sales

;
;''' United States Army'''

Failed bids

; Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
; Polish Army
; Royal Netherlands Army