The Swiss Nationwide Armaments Director Martin Sonderegger signed a contract with GDELS-Mowag for the supply of navy engineering variants of the Piranha IV car for the Swiss Military Sappers. The contract is price 360 million Swiss francs (approx. US$364M) and can see the primary autos delivered in 2026. A complete of 60 models are being procured as a alternative for the tracked M113 that has served with sappers on this position since 1963. The present autos will attain the top of their service life in 2030 and can have to be changed. Switzerland already operates 500 Piranha IICs and 60 Piranha IIIC.
The Mowag Piranha is a household of armored combating autos designed by the Swiss firm Mowag (since 2010 Normal Dynamics European Land Programs – Mowag GmbH). 5 generations of autos have been produced, manufactured by Mowag, or below license by different corporations (notably the LAV), and variants are in service with navy forces all through the world. The MOWAG Piranha IV armored personnel provider was developed as a personal enterprise. Probably the most important enhancements over the Piranha II/III autos are its greater stage of safety, elevated inner quantity, and larger carrying capability. The Piranha IV is heavier than its predecessors.
Commercial
The Piranha IV has a excessive hardness armor metal hull, with provision for add-on armor kits. As soon as fitted with a stage B modular armor bundle it gives all-around safety from 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. The Hull ground protects in opposition to blasts equal to eight kg of TNT. The car is fitted with NBC safety and automated fireplace suppression programs. The Piranha IV is provided with signature discount know-how. It has decreased radar and thermal signatures, making it tougher to detect on the battlefield. The frontal arc withstands hits from 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. The Piranha IV additionally has improved safety in opposition to landmines.
The baseline Piranha IV fitted with a roof-mounted 12.7mm machine gun is totally air-portable in a C-130 Hercules plane with shoring. The car has a crew of 2-3 males relying on the mission variant. Moreover, Piranha IV gives lodging for as much as 9-10 totally geared up troops. When fitted with the improved armor bundle and a two-person Normal Dynamics Land Programs turret, armed with a 30mm cannon, it may well weigh as much as 25 tonnes. The car is powered by a German MTU 6V 199 TE20 turbocharged diesel engine, creating 544 hp. The engine is mated to a ZF 7-speed transmission. This APC will be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules transport plane.
