Piranha-derived LAV25 in USMC service

Piranha-derived Stryker, clad with a supplementary anti-HEAT slat armour

The Mowag Piranha is a family of armored fighting vehicles designed and manufactured by the Swiss Mowag corporation .

It is available in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 wheel versions. There are several variants within these versions, giving different degrees of armour protection and several kinds of turrets, for use in a variety of roles. Piranha derivatives have been assigned roles as troop transports, command vehicles, fire support, tank trainers, and police.

Piranhas are used by the Swiss Army. Swiss built Piranha derivatives have been exported to Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Spain. Piranha derivatives have been manufactured under license by General Dynamics of Canada, Alvis, in the United Kingdom, Komatsu in Japan, and in the USA.

The controversial 8x8 US Army Stryker vehicle is probably the most well-known vehicle derived from the Piranha.

Some variants, like the USMC's Light Armored Vehicle variants are equipped with propellers, for water-borne use.

Variants

• 6 wheels:
  • AVGP
• 8 wheels:
  • Coyote Reconnaisance Vehicle
  • LAV II
  • LAV 25
  • LAV III
  • Stryker
  • Mobile Gun System (MGS)

External links

• www.mowag.ch
• Army Technology.com
• PIRANHA concept (mowag)
• PIRANHA III / LAV III WHEELED ARMOURED VEHICLES, SWITZERLAND (army-technology.com)
• Neue Radpanzergeneration bei MOWAG - Der PIRANHA III (swissmotor.ch)
• Bison Piranha I Blindé de transport de troupe - Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (ifrance.com)
• Piranha III 10x10 Armoured Sensor Vehicle (soldf.com)