Back To Land Warfare Index
PIRANHA III
Piranha III is a family of armoured wheeled vehicles developed by Mowag Motorwagenfabriken of Switzerland, now owned by General Motors Defence of Canada. General Motors also produce a version of the Piranha III known as the LAV-25 III under license. The vehicles are constructed in a 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 configuration. Alvis Vehicles of UK is also licensed for production and marketing of Piranha 8x8 and 10x10 Light Armoured Vehicles. The vehicles are available as Armoured Personnel Carrier, Command Vehicle, Reconnaissance, Fire Support, Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Ambulance, Mortar Carrier, Observation, Load Carrier and Mortar Fire Control variants.

Piranha III has been ordered by Sweden, Denmark and Ireland. Sweden (13 vehicles) has ordered the 10 x 10 command vehicle and sensor vehicle for the coastal artillery; Denmark (22) has ordered the 8 x 8 APC; and Ireland (40) has ordered the armoured personnel carrier. The LAV III 8 x 8 has been ordered by Canada (650), Australia (150), New Zealand (105) and has been selected as the base vehicle for the US Army’s Interim Armoured Vehicle (IAV) program.

DESIGN

The third generation Piranha family is based on a new light-weight hull design with increased variable ballistic protection and higher performance in terms of payload versus gross vehicle weight and increased useable internal volume. Key design features identical throughout the family of vehicles include: power pack on the front right hand side, central driveline system, independent wheel suspension

amphibious capability, and large usable accommodation at the rear for weapon stations, equipment and troops. Piranha is air transportable in a C-130 aircraft.

The Piranha baseline vehicles have 2 propellers for water propulsion with maximum speed in water of 10km/hour and an amphibious kit is provided for rough seawater operations. Air conditioning equipment includes a conditioner with 10 kW cooling capacity and an Arctic heater kit for operation at temperatures below -40 degrees Celsius.

ARMAMENT

The vehicles are equipped for peace keeping and peace enforcing roles with a range of weapons from small calibre turrets to a 105 mm gun.

SELF-PROTECTION

Ballistic protection is provided by the application of replaceable quick-mount add-on armour packages. A mine protection kit and an NBC protection kit (either an overpressure system or a set of collective face masks) are available. Fire and explosion suppression systems are installed on the vehicles.

PROPULSION

The modular design allows a choice of high performance engines and torque matching automatic transmission. Options 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

US 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

US Detroit Diesel 6V53TA (350 hp at 2800 rpm) and Allison MD 3560P automatic transmission

A hydropneumatic system which incorporates a height adjustment assembly at each wheel station, an integral Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) and Anti-locking Brake System (ABS), a high power to weight ratio and the selection of the tyres to suit the type of terrain provide the high level of mobility.

PIRANHA IV

Mowag has introduced the latest vehicle in the Piranha family of wheeled armoured vehicles, the Piranha IV. A range of add-on armour protection is available, including underfloor protection against mines. The upgraded powerplant gives an increased power-to-weight ratio and maximum speed of 100 km/hr and 750 km road range. Piranha IV is fitted with hydropneumatic suspension, ABS and a traction control system. Combat weight is up to 24 tonnes and the vehicle is air transportable in C-130 aircraft.

Vickers Defence Systems has been given a licence to market the Piranha IV in the UK and in selected other countries.

 Click To Expand
Piranha III incorporates a whole pallet of state-of-the-art features to counter threats and meet requirements well into the next century.
Piranha III incorporates a whole pallet of state-of-the-art features to counter threats and meet requirements well into the next century.
Click To Expand
Piranha II fitted with a Kuka 30mm gun turret.
Piranha II fitted with a Kuka 30mm gun turret.
Click To Expand
Piranha III fitted with a 12.7mm gun turret.
Piranha III fitted with a 12.7mm gun turret.
Click To Expand
The Piranha III Repair and Recovery variant.
The Piranha III Repair and Recovery variant.
Click To Expand
The Piranha family is ideally suited for many roles including Mortar Carrier.
The Piranha family is ideally suited for many roles including Mortar Carrier.
Click To Expand
2 of a batch of Piranha 8x8 light armoured vehicles ordered by Qatar fitted with the Cockerill 90mm LCTS turret system.
2 of a batch of Piranha 8x8 light armoured vehicles ordered by Qatar fitted with the Cockerill 90mm LCTS turret system.
Click To Expand
Piranha
Piranha's flexible design and payload capacity allow the fitting of a wide range of weapon systems.
Click To Expand
The Armoured Personnel Carrier variant schematic.
The Armoured Personnel Carrier variant schematic.
Specification