Piranha Family of Vehicles

Compared to previous versions, it features higher levels of protection, up-rated drivetrain to accommodate weight growth, greater internal volume, improved mobility, enhanced power and power management and a modern, open, electronic architecture.

The design incorporates a range of survivability features, including the internal spall liners, floor designed to withstand mine blasts and energy-absorbing seats attached to the sides and roof. The monocoque all-welded steel armor V-shaped hull can accept various applique armor packages to meet different threats. Shaped hull plates provide optimal protection against blasts, spacing in the add-on armor and surface coatings to minimize the thermal and radar signatures.

The modular armor system provides protection against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), 14.5-mm armor-piercing rounds through 360-deg and 30-mm armor piercing rounds across the 30-deg frontal arc. The hull provides protection against 18 lb (8 kg) anti-tank mines. A hard-kill defensive aids suite and specialized protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) may also be developed for the vehicle.

Additional internal capacity is intended to ease the burden on stowage and the carriage of supporting weaponry and materiel. The layout is similar to previous Piranha models with the driver at the front left, diesel powerpack front right and the remainder of the vehicle being available for specific mission packages. Troops are provided with individual seats and can rapidly enter and leave the vehicle through a power-operated ramp at the rear.

The driver's station is equipped with three displays. This provides the driver with all information from the onboard vetronics system. Further screens are provided for the commander and the crew.

The vehicle may be fitted with the Bowman secure tactical digital communications system.

The Piranha V is powered by an MTU 6V199 TE20 diesel engine, rated at 550 hp, with a ZF 7HP 902 seven-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. The vehicle meets European emissions standards. The diesel fuel tanks are relocated to either side of the rear ramp to provide additional space inside the vehicle.

The Piranha V has assisted steering on the first, second and fourth axles with height-adjustable hydropneumatic semi-active suspension, providing a turning radius of 49 ft (15 m). The wheels are fitted with run flat tires, a central-tire inflation system and six-channel anti-lock braking system. The pressure of each tire is automatically controlled at 30-sec intervals. The crew can set the tire pressure to pre-selected pressures for roads, cross country, sandy terrain and for emergency operations, optimizing the vehicle for ride and tactical mobility.

The height-adjustable hydropneumatic suspension system is installed at each wheel station for a more comfortable, faster and fuel-efficient ride. The front and rear suspensions have a vertical travel up to 12.6 in (320 mm) and 13.4 in (340 mm), respectively.

The vehicle can generate increased electrical power on demand and has an integrated power-management system. The power system is designed to accommodate new systems and technologies as they are developed.

During testing, the armored vehicle was fitted with a variety of weapon systems, including 12.7-mm, 25-mm, 30-mm and low-recoil 105-mm guns, as well as Rheinmetall's Lance modular turret system. The Piranha V can accommodate up to 120-mm cannons, according to the manufacturer.

Standard equipment includes an overpressure nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare system; fire-suppression system for the crew compartment; heating and air-conditioning systems; and a modular electronics architecture. The 120-kW inline starter/generator (ISG) generates power for onboard systems while simultaneously providing up to 100 kW AC exportable power to sustain military or civilian infrastructure. The ISG also has the growth capability to recover brake energy for re-use to boost the vehicle power output to 700 hp while reducing fuel consumption.

The baseline armored personnel carrier configuration accommodates a crew of two and eight fully equipped troops. Other versions are expected to include a command post vehicle with a raised rear roof for greater internal volume.

The Piranha V is air-transportable by A400M cargo aircraft without preparation.

In service.

In June 2007, the British Defense Ministry selected the Piranha Evolution, an interim design that formed the basis of the Piranha V, for trials for the utility vehicle component of the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES).

On May 8, 2008, the U.K. Ministry of Defense selected the Piranha V for the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) program. General Dynamics UK was expected to receive a two-year development contract. As many as 1,750 vehicles were scheduled to be built, with service entry to come in 2012.

In December 2008, the British government terminated negotiations with General Dynamics UK on the Piranha V and shifted its procurement priority to other vehicles. Defense Secretary John Hutton said he was withdrawing the company's provisional preferred bidder status because of the inability to reach a commercial agreement on a deal to supply the Piranha V. According to Hutton, the government planned to restructure the FRES program to prioritize the selection of a new tracked scout vehicle and the upgrade of the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. An estimated 132 million pounds (US$214 million) was spent on the program before it was cancelled.

Since the government had already purchased hundreds of mine-protected vehicles from the U.S. over the previous two years for operational requirements in Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry and Treasury saw less need for a mobile, highly protected vehicle such as the Piranha V.

General Dynamics unveiled the Piranha V at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris in June 2010. The vehicle was shown in the infantry fighting vehicle configuration fitted with a Kongsberg medium-caliber remote weapon station with ATK 30-mm cannon and 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun. A remote weapon station for the commander was mounted on the roof of the turret in addition to a Javelin anti-tank missile on the side of the turret. It was also equipped with a Saab LEDS-150 active protection system. A second demonstrator was expected to be completed in October 2010.

A Piranha V technical demonstrator completed hot weather trials in the Middle East in 2010. At least two Middle Eastern nations were said to be potential customers for the vehicle.

In February 2011, General Dynamics exhibited the Desert Piranha V at the IDEX show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This model was shown with a Kongsberg Protector weapon station armed with a stabilized .50-cal M2 heavy-barrel (HB) machine gun. This configuration has a crew of two (commander/gunner, driver) and carries nine fully equipped troops.

General Dynamics announced on Feb. 19, 2015, that it would show the Desert Piranha at the IDEX show in Abu Dhabi. The vehicle would be equipped with a new two-man 30-mm/40-mm Cockerill 3030/40 turret.

The Danish Ministry of Defense announced on April 30, 2015, that it had selected the Piranha V to replace its aging fleet of M113 armored personnel carriers. The program covered at least 206 vehicles. As many as 450 Piranha Vs could be purchased, according to the ministry. The Piranha V was selected over the French VBCI; German Protected Mission Module Carrier G5; Swedish CV 90; and Spanish ASCOD 2.

Jane's Defence Weekly reported on Sept. 24, 2015, that the Spanish Ministry of Defense had selected the Piranha V as the base platform for its new 8 x 8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle prototype. No decision had been formally announced by the ministry, but the Spanish army was seeking to buy at least 300 of the vehicles in an initial order that could be worth around US$7.1 billion (EUR1.5 billion). The new 8 x 8 vehicle will replace Spain's aging BMR (Blindado Medio sobre Ruedas) vehicles.

Defense News reported on Dec. 11, 2015, that three Spanish companies -- Santa Barbara Sistemas, Indra and Sapa -- would develop an initial Piranha V prototype under an US$99 million (EUR89.2 million) research and development contract in a temporary joint basis. The Spanish Council of Ministers had approved the pre-financial agreement on that date. The deal will focus on the development of six different technology projects related to security; situational awareness; long-range vision; fuel efficiency; and command-and-control. After three years, the Defense Ministry planned to sign an agreement for the manufacture of 400 vehicles in Spain. General Dynamics, which owns Santa Barbara Sistemas, was already working on the prototype Piranha V for the Spanish army.

On Dec. 15, 2015, the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistic Organization (DALO) signed a US$600 million contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems for 309 Piranha V armored personnel carriers. The vehicles would be delivered in six variants: infantry; command; ambulance; engineer; mortar; and repair, according to a General Dynamics release. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2018 and run through 2023. The Piranha V would gradually replace Denmark's fleet of M113 armored vehicles.

Italian defense firm Leonardo reported on Sept. 7, 2016, that it had signed a contract with the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) to provide vehicle mission systems for the Danish army's land vehicles. The systems, compliant with the latest generic vehicle architecture (GVA) technology, would be fitted to Piranha V armored vehicles; new armored patrol vehicles; Wisent engineering vehicles; Leopard 2 tanks; and CV 90 infantry fighting vehicles. The first production order under the framework contract was expected in the near future.

Modular mission systems would be tailored to each vehicle type and role, with the DALO able to select the mix of rugged imaging sensors, said Leonardo. The GVA uses a standard infrastructure and system control interfaces to make it easy to train operators and upgrade vehicle systems, while reducing ownership costs by permitting mission-specific configurations and through-life updates. Images from mission sensors are hosted on GVA multi-functional digital displays. Images from all sensors can be shared around the vehicle. Multiple images can be displayed onscreen as the operator requires.

Most of the mission systems being supplied to Denmark include Leonardo's driver night-vision system (DNVS4), which provides both daylight color and thermal images, as well as Citadel Panoramic and Compact cameras provided by Copenhagen Sensor Technologies.

The Danish Ministry of Defense announced on March 14, 2017, that Austrian firm ESL Advanced Information Technology had won a tender for a new 120-mm mortar system for the army. The company would supply Cardom 10 mortar systems for integration with 15 of the Danish army's new Piranha V wheeled armored vehicles.

On April 4, 2017, defense-aerospace.com reported that the Spanish army expected to receive its first five Piranha V test vehicles in 2018. The first phase of the program covered the procurement of 348 vehicles out of a planned 1,000. The entire program had an estimated cost of US$4.1 billion (EUR3.8 billion), including US$1.7 billion (EUR1.6 billion) for acquisition and US$2.4 billion (EUR2.2 billion) for maintenance and modernization over 30 years of service, according to Spanish Undersecretary for Defense Agustin Conde.

The first phase of the program covered the development, verification and validation on testbeds of five technology building blocks: increased security (PT-1); situational awareness (PT-2); advanced artillery observer vehicle (PT-3); integration of electronic communications and information systems (PT-4); and powertrain group (PT-5). A sixth technological program (PT-0), integration of systems in platform, is planned, which will integrate the five other technological programs in five demonstrators for verification and validation in operational testing.

On May 17, 2017, General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag delivered the first seven pre-production Piranha V vehicles, in the infantry configuration, to the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO). The vehicles would undertake comprehensive trials in the second half of 2017, including climate acceptance, verification acceptance and user acceptance testing. Deliveries were expected to begin in early 2018 following the successful conclusion of the trials.

General Dynamics European Land Systems signed a contract with the Romanian military for Piranha V wheeled armored vehicles on Jan. 12, 2018. The deal covered up to 227 Piranha Vs in six configuration with a potential total value of more than US$1 billion. The armored vehicles would be built in Romania under a strategic cooperation and technology transfer project between GDELS-Mowag and domestic firm Uzina Mecanica Bucuresti (UMB), said a General Dynamics release.

On March 29, 2019, the Spanish Cabinet authorized the awarding of a US$2.4 billion (EUR2.1 billion) for the development and production of the Spanish army's Dragon 8 x 8 vehicle based on the Piranha V. According to the army, the family of vehicles would include a baseline vehicle armed with a remote weapon station armed with an Elbit Systems 30-mm UT-30 Mk 2 cannon; section command vehicle, equipped with a crewed Oto Melara 30-mm Hitfist turret; company command post with a Rafael 30-mm Samson remote-controlled turret; engineering vehicle armed with a Rafael 12.7-mm Mini-Samson remote-control turret; and an artillery observation vehicle armed with a remotely operated Guardian turret with a 12.7-mm machine gun.

The Spanish government announced on July 12, 2019, that the Council of Minister had approved a contract for the initial batch of Piranha V armored vehicles in 13 different configurations. The program was intended to streamline the Spanish army's vehicle fleet into a single, modular vehicle with an open architecture. The initial batch of 348 vehicles was expected to cost US$2.35 billion (EUR2.08 billion). Deliveries were scheduled to be completed by 2022, reported defense-aerospace.com. A second batch of 365 vehicles was slated to be ordered in 2022 and a third batch of 287 vehicles at a later date. Total program cost was estimated at US$4.32 billion (EUR3.84 billion).

General Dynamics European Land Systems announced on Nov. 6, 2019, that it had begun production of Piranha V armored vehicles for the Romanian army at the factory of its local partner, Uzina Mecanica Bucuresti in Bucharest. In 2018, Romania ordered 227 Piranha Vs in six configurations. The vehicles would be built in Romania under a technology transfer agreement between GDELS-Mowag and UMB.

On Dec. 27, 2019, defense-aerospace.com reported that the Spanish government had rejected an offer from Santa Barbara Systems, a subsidiary of General Dynamics European Land Systems, for 348 Piranha V armored vehicles. Madrid said it planned to recompete the program after Santa Barbara's offer failed to meet unspecified technical, operational and economic requirements. The company emphasized that its offer had met the technical and economic requirements as stipulated in the specifications. A Santa Barbara source said that the government's budget for the program was not large enough to cover the solution outlined in the specifications.

The Spanish Ministry of Defense announced on May 13, 2020, that Indra Systems, Santa Barbara Systems, Sapa Placencia and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering had formed a joint venture for the sole purpose of executing the Dragon 8 x 8 wheeled armored vehicle program. The ministry anticipated signing a contract for 348 vehicles in the third quarter of 2020. The joint venture met Spanish army requirements that Spain retain design authority for the vehicle with at least 70 percent domestic content. The venture would also be responsible for maintenance, lifecycle support and international marketing of the vehicle. The move came after the Spanish government rejected an offer from Santa Barbara for the program (see above).

On June 23, 2020, the Spanish government reported that the Council of Ministers had approved the awarding of a contract for the first production batch of Dragon 8 x 8 armored vehicles. The US$2.3 billion (EUR2.1 billion) deal covered the production of 348 vehicles for delivery by 2030. The Dragon was being acquired in several configurations to replace aging BMR and VEC vehicles in Spanish army service. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in the first half of 2022, according to defense-aerospace.com. The Spanish Foreign Legion was slated to evaluate preproduction vehicles later in 2020 or 2021. Spain could acquire up to 1,000 Dragons total.

The Spanish government signed a contract with the Tess Defence consortium on Aug. 25, 2020, for the manufacture of 348 Dragon vehicles over 10 years. The deal was worth US$2.46 billion (EUR2.08 billion), reported Jane's. The contract enabled production to start, although Madrid had not yet determined the numbers of each variant to be ordered or the turret to be integrated, said the publication. Additional vehicles were planned beyond the initial order, covering 348 and 287 vehicles, respectively.

On that same date, Spanish firm Indra said that it would equip the Dragon vehicles advanced mission systems and electronic architectures. The company also expected to provide electro-optical technology and the fire-control system as part of the turret on the vehicles.

On Oct. 10, 2020, the Romanian Ministry of Defense announced that it had taken delivery of its first 36 Piranha V armored vehicles. Once a final inspection was completed at the Bucharest Mechanical Plant, the vehicles would be delivered to the Red Scorpions in Craiova, the ministry said. A follow-on batch was anticipated in less than a year. The initial vehicles were built in Switzerland, with the majority expected to be built domestically at the Bucharest Mechanical Plant, noted defense-aerospace.com.

Spanish defense officials said on Oct. 6, 2021, that the Spanish army expected to take early delivery of its first Dragon vehicles from the Tess Defence consortium, reported Shephard Media. The officials did not indicate how many vehicles would be handed over or on what timeline.

Production of Dragon 8 x 8 wheeled armored vehicles for the Spanish army began on Dec. 17, 2021, at the GDELS Trubia Factory in Asturia with the ceremonial cutting of the first steel plate, reported Army Recognition. The first series production vehicles were expected to be available in the second quarter of 2022. 

Elbit Systems announced on March 2, 2023, that its Romanian subsidiary, Elmet International, had received a US$120 million follow-on contract for uncrewed turrets, remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and mortar systems for Romanian army Piranha V armored vehicles. Under the deal, Elbit would supply UT-30 Mk 2 turrets, lightweight 12.7-mm RCWS and 120-mm Spear autonomous mortar systems. Work would take place in Romania over three years, the company said.

Rheinmetall showcased its Skyranger 30 air defense system integrated onto the Piranha V 8x8 armored vehicle during a live-fire demonstration in Switzerland at the Ochsenboden firing range on Sept. 26, 2024.

On Sept. 27, 2024, Denmark signed a contract to integrate 16 Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 mobile air defense systems, onto Piranha V 8x8 armored vehicles already in use by the Danish army.

On Feb. 25, 2025, General Dynamics reported that the German Army has selected the Piranha V for the Bundeswehr’s Tactical Wide Area Network (TaWAN) for Land‑Based Operations. General Dynamics is partnering with Rheinmetall on the order, with initial deliveries expected to begin in 2026. The first batch will consist of 58 vehicles out of a total planned procurement of 256.

The company also announced that the Piranha V will be equipped with a 49 ft (15 m) telescopic mast system to provide connectivity to the TaWAN network.

On Aug. 27, 2025, Army Recognition reported that GDELS showcased several new variants of the Piranha V 8x8 vehicle at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition, including the Piranha Stratcom. This variant is designed to deploy strategic and tactical communications systems and features a deployable mast capable of supporting a 661 lb (300 kg) payload at heights of up to 49 ft (15 m).

In August 2025, Army Recognition reported that GDELS and Uzina Mecanică București (UMB) announced the completion of 47 Romanian‑produced Piranha V vehicles. An additional 68 vehicles are currently in production, with a further order of 150 vehicles planned for Romania.

General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
General Dynamics UK, London, U.K.

 Denmark
   Army                    [309] 
 Romania
   Army                    [99]
 Spain
   Army                    [7] (Dragon) 

 CREW
   Vehicle                 3 (driver, gunner, commander)
   Troops                  8

 WEIGHTS
   Gross vehicle           61,700 lb (28,000 kg)
   Payload                 26,500 lb (12,000 kg)

 DIMENSIONS
   Length                  26 ft  3 in (8.0 m)
   Width                    9 ft 10 in (3.0 m)
   Height                   7 ft  8 in (2.3 m)
   Interior volume         501 cu ft to 614 cu ft (14.2 cu m to 17.4 cu m)

 PROPULSION
   Engine                  1 x MTU 6V199 TE20 diesel
      power                576 hp (430 kW)

 PERFORMANCE
   Speed                   60 mph (100 km/h)
   Range                   340 mi (550 km) (mix of road/off-road driving)

Desert Piranha

This refers to the second pre-production Piranha V vehicle. It is intended for deployment in hot conditions. It is fitted with the Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station armed with a stabilized .50-cal M2 heavy-barrel machine gun and has blast attenuating seats for a crew of 11: commander/gunner and drive, plus nine fully equipped troops.

General Dynamics has exhibited later models equipped with a two-man Cockerill 3030/40 30-mm/40-mm turret.

The Desert Piranha is equipped with a 30 kW (18 kW + 12 kW) split air-conditioning system. A central tire-inflation system (CTIS) is fitted as standard and larger diameter tires provide improved traction in sandy conditions. The front four wheels are steerable and the rear axle can articulate to tighten the turning circle.

The vehicle features a sophisticated drive train that provides excellent mobility for off-road and on-road applications. A modular and scalable protection concept enables rapid protection upgrades. Its electronic architecture is designed to easily integrate complex systems, with an open infrastructure for future upgrades.

Negotiations between General Dynamics and the U.K. Ministry of Defense foundered on the ministry's acquisition strategy, which required the company to hand over the Piranha V design to a third-party vehicle integrator to complete development work and build the vehicle. From the beginning, General Dynamics refused to hand over its design to potential rivals unless it received a continuing substantial role in the program.