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 155 mm Artillery Gun Module (AGM, Artillerie-Geschütz-Modul) from KNDS with the PIRANHA IV from GDELS. A corresponding procurement request will be submitted to parliament next year. In 2023, Project Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026 was a Swiss Army project for a successor to its M109 Kawest tracked self-propelled howitzers. In 2022, two systems were shortlisted. The first was the BAE Systems Hägglunds Archer Artillery System to use the RMMV HX2 8×8 chassis, the second was the German Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH 155) on either the Boxer or Piranha IV platform. The Boxer was already developed, and in trials at the time but the Piranha IV would have to be integrated with the gun system. In May 2023, the first models of the prototype in development were revealed; the gun system would be installed on a Piranha IV 10×10 platform. This would provide the crew with more space compared to the Boxer based variant; this meant the whole artillery crew could be within the vehicle rather than operate some parts of the system remotely.
“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 maneuverability 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.”
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 meters. 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.
AGM is a modular system, the gun module can be fitted on a tracked or wheeled chassis. Costs can be reduced by fitting it to a user’s suitable chassis of choice. A vehicle independent auxiliary power unit (allowing the gun to be used with the carrier engine shut down) and an inertial reference unit with a Global Positioning System (GPS) connection are fitted. The AGM doesn’t require an additional ground support to ensure the precision and the durability. It is stable enough as it is, and doesn’t require hydraulic stabilisers. It is a highly capable shoot and scoot system, and demonstrations have shown its capability to shoot at 360°, and even with some shooting in movement. AGM fired a volley of ten 155 mm rounds in 2 minutes and 19 seconds with a crew of two being seated in the fully armoured protected cab. The collaboration between German-French KNDS and the European business unit of US-headquartered General Dynamics Corporation also strengthens transatlantic cooperation.
