Military Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Advertisement
Register
in: Articles using infobox weapon, Articles needing clarification from May 2015, Articles needing clarification from December 2015,
and 8 more

Mowag Piranha

Sign in to edit
MOWAG Piranha
Irish Army Mowag Piranha
Irish Army Piranha IIIH APC (armed with 12.7 mm HMG), on the streets of Dublin for the 2006 Easter Military Parade.
Place of origin Switzerland
Service history
Used by See list below
Production history
Designer MOWAG Motor Car Factory, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Manufacturer MOWAG
Produced since 1972
Variants Tank Destroyer, C3 Command Vehicle Medevac, APC, Police vehicle,Pionier &Construction Vehicle,
Specifications
Mass From 9,300 kg (20,500 lb)
Length 6.25 to 7.45 m
Width 2.5 to 2.66 m
Height 1.8 to 1.98
Crew 3 +: driver, commander, gunner + more people
Main
armament
 1x 12.7 mm MG turret or MOWAG apex mount, or grenade launcher or TOW anti-tank missile o.
Engine diesel engine
202 kW 275hp
Transmission Alison MT-653 Automatic 6-speed planetary gearbox
Suspension 8x8 wheeled, TYRES 13.00 x 20 run-flat (insert)
Fuel capacity 300 l
Operational
range
 780 km
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph), water 10 km/h (6 mph)
Steering
system
 1 and 2 axel

The MOWAG Piranha is a family of armoured fighting vehicles designed by the Swiss company MOWAG (since April 2010 the name has changed to General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag GmbH).

Five generations of vehicles have been produced, manufactured by Mowag or under licence by other companies, and variants are in service with military forces throughout the world.

Variants[]

Piranhas are available in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 wheel versions. There are several variants within these versions, giving different degrees of armour protection and several kinds of turret, for use in a variety of roles. Piranha derivatives have been assigned roles as troop transports, command vehicles, fire support vehicles, tank trainers, and police vehicles.

Piranhas are used by the Swiss Army. Swiss-built Piranha derivatives have been exported to Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Romania, Spain and Belgium. The Romanian Army and the Belgian Army have selected the Piranha IIIC 8x8. It has decided to convert to all wheeled vehicles, simultaneously removing the current main battle armoured transporter TAB and Leopard 1 battle tanks, from the inventory. In total 242 vehicles will be delivered, of which 104 are options.[Clarification needed]

Piranha derivatives have been manufactured under licence by General Dynamics (Canada), BAE Systems Land Systems (UK), Komatsu (Japan), Cardoen and FAMAE (Chile), and in the USA. The 8x8 US Army Stryker vehicle is derived from the Canadian LAV III which in turn is based on the Piranha, as is the LAV-25 family in service with the USMC. The Australian Defence Force also has its own modified version of the Piranha I 8x8 known as the ASLAV (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle). The ASLAV is operated by two cavalry regiments (the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment) and is used in the armoured reconnaissance and armoured personnel carrier roles.

Some variants, like the United States Marine Corps's Light Armored Vehicle-25 (LAV-25) and its derivatives, are equipped with propellers for amphibious use, though their swimming capability is restricted to sheltered waters.

A new Piranha V version, weighing in between 25 to 30 tons, was announced as the provisional winner of the British Army's FRES program on 8 May 2008.[1] However, this was withdrawn[Clarification needed] seven months later and bidding has started again.[citation needed]

General Dynamics European Land Systems launched their new Piranha Class 5 at EUROSATORY 2010 on 15 June and it is reported that the British MoD are showing renewed interest but struggle with budget constraints.[2]

MOWAG Piranha 4x4 IB[]

MOWAG Piranha IB 4x4
MOWAG Piranha 4x4 IB
MOWAG Piranha IB 4x4
Place of origin Flag of Switzerland  Switzerland
Production history
Designer MOWAG Motor Car Factory, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Manufacturer MOWAG
Produced since 1974
Variants Armt, recon
Specifications
Mass 6,300 kg (13,900 lb)
Length 5.40m
Width 2.5m
Height 1.85m /
Crew 7: driver, commander, gunner + 4 more people
Main
armament
 1x 12.7 mm MG in the turret or "wildcat AAA with 2x30mm gun, or TSE 5000 Crotale, or ADATS, or Rheinmetal 105mm Canon
Engine Chrysler Chrysler V8 gasoline engine 360-1 Displacement 6780 cm ³
125 kW
Transmission NP 540 Chrysler mechanics transmission, 5 forward gears, 1 reverse gear
Suspension 4x4 wheeled, TYRES 13.00 x 20 run-flat (insert)
Fuel capacity 200 l
Operational
range
 700 km (41l/100km)
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph), water 10 km/h (6 mph)
Steering
system
 1 axel

The 'MOWAG Piranha 4x4 IB' was an armored personnel carrier.

To complete the Piranha 1 Family of 1974, the Piranha 4x4 IB was designed as a light vehicle with the purpose of a rapid reconnaissance and attack vehicle. It could take part in amphibious operations thanks to twin propellers. and could operate in NBC contaminated areas. The Piranha 4x4 was also designed to meet police needs. In addition, the MOWAG Grenadier and Mowag Spy sub-versions were also developed. The prototype of the Piranha 4x4 IB went through numerous tests and received different equipment and different engines. Due to the rapid technological developments and adjustments to requirements for military vehicles no Piranha with gasoline engine was sold. The prototype is now in the Full Military Museum.

MOWAG Piranha IB 6x6[]

MOWAG Piranha IB 6x6
San Piranha
MOWAG Piranha IB 6x6 Swiss Army
Place of origin Flag of Switzerland  Switzerland
Service history
Used by Switzerland, Canada, United Nations
Production history
Designer MOWAG Motor Car Factory, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Manufacturer MOWAG
Produced since 1972
Variants Tank Destroyer, C3 Command Vehicle Medevac, APC, Police vehicle
Specifications
Mass 9,300 kg (20,500 lb)
Length 6.25m
Width 2.66m
Height 1.985m / 2.17m
Crew 7: driver, commander, gunner + 4 more people
Main
armament
 1x 12.7 mm MG turret or MOWAG apex mount, or grenade launcher or TOW anti-tank missile or Mephisto ATM.
Engine Chrysler V8 petrol engine HT 413 Displacement 6780 cm ³
147 kW
Transmission Alison MT-40 Automatic 6-speed planetary gearbox
Suspension 6x6 wheeled, TYRES 13.00 x 20 run-flat (insert)
Fuel capacity 200 l
Operational
range
 500 km (41l/100km)
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph), water 10 km/h (6 mph)
Steering
system
 1 axel or 1 and 2 axel

The first Piranha prototype ever built was the 6x6 IB in 1972. It can be seen as a milestone for the Piranha series due to various technical innovation like (at the time) modern designed drive with independent suspension, compact power unit in the right front and (as an amphibian drive) being powered by two propellers. This prototype was demonstrated with different engines and features for potential customers such as the Canadian Army. In the Swiss Army the Piranha 6x6 is used as an ambulance, C3 command vehicle and together with the BGM-71 TOW as a Tank Destroyer. The prototype is along with an ambulance Piranha 6x6 on display in the Full Military Museum.

Users

  • Swiss Army
  • Canadian Army
  • Police Unit Diamond
  • Zurich Cantonal Police

MOWAG Piranha IIIC 10x10[]

MOWAG Piranha IIIC 10x10
MOWAG Piranha IIIC 10x10
MOWAG Piranha IIIC 10x10 at Military Museum Full
Place of origin Flag of Switzerland  Switzerland
Service history
Used by Sweden
Production history
Designer MOWAG Motor Car Factory, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Manufacturer MOWAG
Produced 1994
Variants Tank, C3 Command Vehicle.
Specifications
Mass 18,000 kg (40,000 lb)
Length 7.45m
Width 2.66m
Height 1.98m / 2.17m
Crew 3: driver, commander, gunner
Main
armament
 turret Oerlikon GDD BOE with 35mm automatic cannon KDE
Secondary
armament
 7.62 mm coaxial MG FN MAG and 6xNebelwurfbecher 76mm
Engine Detroit Diesel V6, V6 53TA
350 hp
Transmission Alison MD 3560 P-automatic transmission, 6 forward gears 1 reverse
Suspension 10x10 wheeled, TYRES 13.00 x 20 run-flat (insert)
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph)
Steering
system
 1 and 2 axel

The MOWAG Piranha IIIC 10x10 is a wheeled tank of the Swiss manufacturer MOWAG.

With the continuous evolution of piranhas because of the increasing demands and the setting of the project Mowag Shark as heavy weapons carrier, the capacity limit has been reached with respect to payload. With the built in 1994 built Piranha 10x10 tried to bear this in mind, using a 5th Axis of the same type has been installed. Basically, the Piranha 10x10 was designed as a heavy weapons support, but only a small series was built, for example, for Sweden as a command tank and transmission Kapris LIRKA tanks. The Piranha IIIC 10x10 marked an important development step for Piranha IIIC8x8. The prototype of the Piranha IIIC 10x10, participated in various tests, including in Sweden, now stands in the military museum in Full / Fort Reuenthal.

Operators[]

Family tree[]

Comparable vehicles[]

Gallery[]

References and notes[]

References[]

  1. ↑ "Drayson: New vehicles will have "vital part to play in the Army of the future"". United Kingdom Ministry of Defense. June 8, 2007. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/DraysonNewVehiclesWillHavevitalPartToPlayInTheArmyOfTheFuture.htm. Retrieved July 4, 2007. 
  2. ↑ GD Rolls Out Piranha 5 Once Slated for Britain – Eurosatory 2010 - Defense News Show Scout
  3. ↑ Defence Materiel Organisation
  4. ↑ http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/armoured/mowag/press12.html
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 http://disarmament.un.org/UN_REGISTER.nsf
  6. ↑ General Dynamics awarded Order for 18 PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 Vehicles from Brazilian Marines
  7. ↑ http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/english/11_6_3.asp
  8. ↑ Ghana Armed Forces
  9. ↑ Procurement: Iraq Buys What It Knows
  10. ↑ Giletta, Jacques (2005). Les Gardes Personnelles des Princes de Monaco (1st ed.). Taurus Editions. ISBN 2 912976-04-9. 
  11. ↑ http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_a052.html

Notes[]

  1. ^ Chilean built 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 in different configurations for the Chilean Army.

External links[]

Commons-Logo Wikimedia Commons has media related to MOWAG Piranha.
4 × 4
6 × 6
8 × 8


History
Structure
Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups
Canadian Brigade Groups
Small arms
Crewed weapons
Armoured fighting vehicles
Schools
All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Mowag Piranha and the edit history here.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
Advertisement

Fan Feed

More Military Wiki