General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) announce PIRANHA-IV-based wheeled howitzers selected as new Swiss artillery system.
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Press Release, Kreuzlingen, 11 November 2024: The national procurement agency armasuisse announced last week that KNDS Deutschland together with General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has been selected to provide the Swiss Army’s new artillery system, which will combine the 155mm AGM from KNDS with the PIRANHA IV from GDELS. A corresponding procurement request will be submitted to parliament next year.
The PIRANHA IV Heavy Mission Carrier is a 10×10 version of the proven PIRANHA family, already in use by the Swiss Army, that combines high payload and volume with low axle loads and excellent agility. The five axles, four of which are steered, ensure unparalleled mobility and recoil absorption particularly during shooting while scooting, high trench crossing capabilities and a turning circle of less than 18.5 metres. In the artillery variant, the vehicle accommodates the two-person crew and an optional third crew member with their equipment. The gun module itself is unmanned; loading and aiming of the weapon system are fully automated. The PIRANHA platform enables the system not only to be deployed independently on road, but also to quickly change firing positions even in rough terrain. Together with the AGM, rapid opening of fire without preparation, shooting on the move, direct aiming and 360° fire are possible.
“We are very proud to have contributed to such an innovative system within a short period of time and to support our domestic customer out of our Swiss production sites. AGM on PIRANHA IV is the newest member of the mission-proven PIRANHA family and will ensure a significant capability increase for the Swiss Army,” says Giuseppe Chillari, Managing Director of GDELS – Mowag. Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS Vice President for Global Sales, adds: “The unmatched performance of the AGM on the PIRANHA IV in terms of firepower, precision strike and manoeuvrability sets a new standard in the area of indirect fires. We are confident that this latest member of the PIRANHA family will also succeed internationally.”
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KNDS Deutschland announce AGM on Piranha IV type selection for Swiss artillery system.
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Press Release, Munich, 11 November 2024: The Swiss procurement office armasuisse has opted for the AGM (Artillery Gun Module) on Piranha IV. This means that the artillery technology from KNDS Deutschland, integrated on the 10×10 chassis of the Piranha IV from General Dynamics European Land Systems, was able to prevail.
The AGM is an unmanned and remote-controlled artillery gun with a fully automated loader for projectiles and modular propelling charges and allows firing and reloading in any elevation and azimuth position – even while on the move. This gives the system a superior Shoot & Scoot and MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) capability. Thanks to its modularity, the AGM is ideally suited for integration on various mobility platforms, such as the Piranha family already introduced in the Swiss Armed Forces.
Within a very short period of time, KNDS Deutschland and GDELS have combined the AGM and Piranha systems available on the market to create a wheeled howitzer variant with outstanding tactical mobility. The AGM on Piranha IV system is designed for a crew of up to three men.
This system is intended to replace the M109, which has been in service for over 50 years, as the new backbone of the Swiss Army’s motorised artillery.
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