Piranha Family of Vehicles
Country of Origin: Switzerland
description
The Piranha III 8 x 8 has a lightweight hull design, greater variable ballistic protection, more space inside and a higher payload capacity than other versions of the Piranha family of APCs (see "Variants," below). Certain features of the 8 x 8 version are identical with other vehicles in the series, including a power pack on the front right-hand side, central driveline system, independent wheel suspension, amphibious capability and room in the rear of the vehicle for weapon stations, equipment and troops.
Amphibious capability on the Piranha APCs is provided by two propellers for water propulsion reaching a maximum speed in water of 10 km/hour. A kit is supplied for rough seawater operations. It also comes with run-flat tires, ABS and CTIS system (Central Tire Inflation System). The body can be lifted up to 23 cm when driving through mud, for example.
The Piranhas come in a number of variants, including armored personnel carrier, command vehicle, reconnaissance, fire support, repair and recovery vehicle, ambulance, mortar carrier, observation, load carrier and mortar fire-control versions.
Piranhas can be airlifted by a C-130 aircraft.
The Piranha has several customizable options, including the type of engine. Engines available for installation on the Piranha family of APCs include:
- German MTU 6V183TE22 (400 hp at 2300 rpm) and ZF Ecomat 6 hp 600 automatic transmission;
- Swedish Scania DSJ9-48A (400 hp at 2300 rpm) and ZF Ecomat 6 hp 600 automatic transmission;
- U.S. Caterpillar 3126 (350 hp at 2500 rpm) and Allison MD 3066P automatic transmission;
- British Cummins 6CTAA8.3-T350 (350 hp at 2200 rpm) and Allison MD 3066P automatic transmission; or
- U.S. Detroit Diesel 6V53TA (350 hp at 2800 rpm) and Allison MD 3560P automatic transmission.
status
In service.
Initial operational capability (IOC) was reached in 1996. Sweden has ordered a 10 x 10 version for command control functions for the coastal artillery forces. More than 1,400 Piranha III vehicles have been delivered or ordered.
The Spanish Ministry of Defense ordered another 21 Piranha III 8 x 8 amphibious APCs as well as eight other versions, according to Jane's Defence Weekly for Jan. 23, 2008. Deliveries were scheduled from 2009 through 2014.
The Brazilian navy contracted GDELS for the purchase of 18 Piranha IIIC vehicles in November 2008. The contract called for the vehicles to be manufactured in three amphibious configurations: Armoured Personnel Carrier, Ambulance and Command. This contract was a follow-on order to the 12 vehicles ordered in 2006 and 2007 (11 APCs and 1 Recovery Vehicle). The PIRANHAs were delivered in 2010 and were used primarily within the framework of the international United Nations mission of the Brazilian marines in Haiti and will be seen in other UN missions in the future.
Kongsberg announced on Jan. 10, 2014, that it had signed a contract with the Irish government to supply Protector weapon stations for the modernization of the army's Piranha III armored vehicles. Irish plans called for the upgrading of its entire Piranha III fleet with the M151 Protector over five years. An initial batch was scheduled to be fitted with the weapon stations and delivered by September 2014. The value of the contract was not disclosed.
On May 21, 2016, Defence Blog reported that Botswana had recently ordered 45 Piranha III 8 x 8 wheeled armored vehicles. The deal was estimated to be worth around US$162 million. The vehicles would be armed with 30-mm turrets, according to local media. Botswana had previously taken delivery of 45 Piranha IIIs ordered in 2003, the website said.
General Dynamics European Land Systems announced on June 7, 2016, that it would display the new Piranha III+ during the Eurosatory exhibition later that month in Paris. The Swiss army recently selected the type for its mortar carrier program. The vehicle would be shown in an armored personnel carrier configuration with a crew of three (commander, driver, gunner) and room for up to nine troops.
Defence Web noted that in 2016 Botswana had ordered 50 VL MICA missiles for a single VL MICA missile system and 50 Mistral missiles. The contracts with MBDA in France were valued at 304.2 million euros (US$329 million). Experts noted that Botswana had ordered 45 additional Piranha 8 x 8 vehicles in 2016, which had been delivered in small batches since.
Army Recognition reported on Jan. 28, 2017, that GDELS was awarded a contract to deliver the fifth batch of Piranha III 8x8 vehicles to the Romanian armed forces. The contract was signed on Dec. 30, 2016 as part of the Romanian Army’s plan to modernize its legacy wheeled armored vehicle fleet. The Romania Piranha III is fitted an 12.7mm unmanned turrets supplied by Elbit Systems of Israel.
The Swiss Dept. of Defense announced on April 24, 2020, that the 120-mm Type 16 self-propelled mortar system had successfully completed an assessment and was approved for use by the Swiss army. The Type 16 is Cobra mortar installed in a Piranha IV 8 x 8 wheeled armored vehicle. The trials took place in March 2020 at the Biere Garrison and evaluated the tactical capabilities of the system. The Type 16 had been unavailable for test-firing over the previous year due to safety issues, which had been resolved by Ruag, the department said. With the completion of the trials, the department could move forward with a production contract, with deliveries anticipated in 2024. Switzerland planned to buy 32 Type 16 systems (Cobra mortars and Piranha IV vehicles), 12 trucks, ammunition, logistics equipment and the modification of 16 vehicles already in service.
Defence Web (South Africa) reported on May 19, 2020, that images had recently appeared on social media showing convoys delivering military equipment to Botswana via Namibia and South Africa. One set of photos showed a Mistral coordination post on a Unimog chassis; a VBL armored vehicle fitted with what appeared to be a Mistral launcher assembly; VL MICA transporter-erector-launcher; and a VL MICA truck-mounted radar or command-post vehicle. A separate set of images showed MOWAG Piranha III armored vehicles being carried on low-bed trucks. The equipment was delivered in two different convoys, one at least a year previous and the other several months previous, the website said.
On Jan. 12, 2023, the Moldovan Defense Ministry announced that it had received an initial batch of three Piranha IIIH 8 x 8 vehicles donated by Germany during a ceremony at Military Camp 142. The new vehicles would be assigned to the 22nd "Blue Helmets" peacekeeping battalion for training and to increase interoperability, officials said. Berlin would deliver the remaining 16 Piranha IIIH vehicles and associated support equipment in 2023, the ministry said.
builders
General Dynamics Land Systems (formelry Mowag Motorwagenfabriken, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland)
BAE Systems (formerly Alvis Vehicles), Coventry, West Midlands, U.K. (under license)
users platforms
characteristics
CREW Total 1-2 + 10 troops WEIGHTS Combat 40,785 lb (18,500 kg) Operation 28,660 lb (13,000 kg) Payload 12,125 lb ( 5,500 kg) DIMENSIONS Length 22 ft 5 in (6.93 m) Width 8 ft 6 in (2.66 m) Height 7 ft 0 in (2.15 m) Clearance 2 ft 0 in (0.60 m) PROPULSION Engine 1 x MTU 6V183TE22, 10.960 cubic cm (665 cubic in) displacement, V6 turbocharged, inter-cooler, air-cooled Power 400 hp at 2,200 rpm Power-to-weight ratio 28.60 hp/metric ton Transmission ZF 7HP600 automatic gearbox with 7 forward gears, 1 reverse gear Tires 12.00 R 20 XML, central inflation, run-flat core Fuel 66 gal (300 liters) PERFORMANCE Speed road 60 mph (100 kph) water 6 mph ( 10 kph) Fording 4 ft 5 in (1.4 m) Range 375 mi (600 km) Gradient 60 percent Slope 30 percent Trench 6 ft 7 in (2 m) ARMAMENT Turret 1 x CTC 2-person stabilized turret for fire on the go Primary 1 x 25-mm M242 chain gun w/thermal imaging sight ammunition 240 rounds Secondary 1 x 7.62-mm co-axial M240 machine gun ammunition 400 rounds Ancillary 8 x 76-mm smoke/fragmentation grenade launchers SENSORS/ELECTRONICS day/night-sight (4/6 x) PROTECTION Conventional optional add-on armor and mine protection kits NBC yes
variants
Piranha IIIC (8 x 8) amphibious
The IIIC amphibious variant can fire while swimming. Equipment for water-borne operations includes a seawater cooling system, closable engine grills, water propulsion from two propellers, twin steerable rudders, pneumatically operated trim vane and bilge pumps.
U.K.-built Piranha (8 x 8)
Alvis Vickers manufactured Piranha 8 x 8 vehicles for Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Seven variants of the basic Piranha 8 x 8 type were produced for Oman, including the 81-mm mortar carrier, command and control, repair and recovery, ambulance and artillery observation. Deliveries took place between 2001 and 2003.
Piranha SPAAG
A Piranha 8 x 8 with a Thales Blazer air defense turret fitted with a 25-mm cannon, Mistral anti-air missiles and a Thales TRS 2630 radar system. U.S. Marines procured a variant of this type with the 256-mm cannon, but with Stingers instead of Mistrals.
Piranha III (8 x 8) with AMS 2
BAE Systems RO Defense and General Dynamics Land Systems have developed the Armored Mortar System 2 (AMS 2) for the Piranha III 8 x 8. The AMS 2 turret weighs 2.5 tons and utilizes 7.62-mm-proof welded steel armor and an all-electric drive system. First displayed at the Defense Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London in September 2003.
Piranha III+
This is the latest development of the Piranha III platform. It has a gross vehicle weight of 59,520 lb (27,000 kg), with a payload of up to 22,050 lb (10,000 kg).
The vehicle features a modular protection system that is designed to meet current and future requirements. An advanced driveline and suspension system, combined with a powerful Scania diesel engine and ZF automatic transmission offers excellent mobility. An amphibious drive can be integrated as an option.
The armored personnel carrier configuration has a crew of three (commander, driver, gunner) and can carry up to nine personnel. It is armed with the Oerlikon Fieldranger 20 remotely operated weapon station.
The Swiss army selected the type for its mortar carrier program. In this configuration, the vehicle is fitted with a RUAG 120-mm Cobra mortar.
operational notes
The Swiss company deployed as part of the peacekeeping mission to Kosovo brought Piranhas with its force. Piranhas were one of the main vehicles used by peacekeepers in Kosovo. Tasks performed by these vehicles include patrolling, manning observation posts, fixed mobile temporary check points (CP) and other operations. The Danes, having contributed a significant number of troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR), also made wide use of the Piranhas.
The Canadian forces in the U.N. mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) have also utilized LAV III versions of the Piranha.
The Ukrainian MoD reported on June 1, 2022, that the Swiss government vetoed Denmark's request to transfer Piranha IIIs to Ukraine following Russia's invasion in February 2022.
program cost
Contract prices for the Piranha IIIs have recently ranged from US$1.23 million to $1.63 million per vehicle.