Additional MOWAG Piranha IIIC 8×8 for the Swiss Army

, KREUZLINGEN, Switzerland: MOWAG GmbH, a General Dynamics European Land Systems Company integrated and well-established in Kreuzlingen, recently got an order from Swiss Army for the production of 26 PIRANHA IIIC 8×8 that shall be used as carrier vehicles for the Swiss Army battlefield management system and as communication vehicles. They will be manufactured in Kreuzlingen and delivered in the years 2010 and 2011. 
 
Information and communication are indispensable for the military and civil guidance. The ever-increasing mobility, flexibility and modern communication technology require an infrastructure that ensures the timely delivery of reliable information. 
 
With the second development stage of the BMS (FIS HE) and with a further performance increase of telecommunication equipment, which has been approved in the “Rüstungsprogramm 2007“ (procurement program 2007), guidability during the securing of the operational area and during missions in favor of the civilian population can be further enhanced. 
 
Among other items, Parliament approved the procurement of a total of 26 carrier vehicles on the basis of the PIRANHA IIIC – which is successful all over the world – with this procurement program. Out of the ordered vehicles, 6 will be delivered as armored command vehicles for the BMS, 8 as armored communication vehicles, and 12 as so-called „armored Radio Access Point vehicles with increased functionality”. 
 
The selection of the PIRANHA IIIC as the carrier vehicle documents the close partnership and the confidence of the Swiss Army in the reliability of the PIRANHA, MOWAG and the GD ELS Group. Close to 900 vehicles of the PIRANHA family in various configurations are already in use in the Swiss Army. 
 
The MOWAG PIRANHA IIIC 8×8 – a well-proven platform 
 
The PIRANHA IIIC has a length of 7.30 m, a width of 2.66 m, and a GVW of 22 t. The vehicle reaches a speed of up to 100 km/h on the road. The PIRANHA IIIC easily manages gradients of up to 60%, and fording depths of up to 1.50 m. The 400 HP engine, together with the 7-speed automatic transmission, the modern independent wheel suspension, the tire pressure control system, and the disengageable all-wheel drive, give the PIRANHA IIIC a high degree of mobility even in difficult terrain. 
 
Moreover, the protection against ballistic threats and against mines provides the crew with a maximum degree of protection in a mission. The vehicle is equipped with all necessary features (NBC system, autonomous power supply, A/C system, etc.) that are required for the 24-hour operation of the integrated systems.  
 
MOWAG GmbH of Kreuzlingen develops, designs, and manufactures technologically advanced special vehicles for military use. More than 13'500 armoured and non-armoured wheeled vehicles of the MOWAG Piranha, MOWAG Eagle, and MOWAG Duro series are in service worldwide. Since October of 2003, MOWAG is part of the General Dynamics European Land Systems group, and employs a qualified staff force of more than 600 at its Kreuzlingen site. 
 
General Dynamics European Land Systems (GD ELS), headquarter in Vienna (Austria.), is a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation, and conducts its business through European operating sites located in Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. With more than 3,250 highly skilled technical employees, GD ELS companies design, manufacture and deliver to global customers Land Combat Systems, including wheeled, tracked, and amphibious vehicles, armaments and munitions.