First UK Army vehicle of the future selected

The Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) is set to deliver more than 3,000 vehicles to the British Army. The total capability will be delivered in five families of vehicles: Utility, Reconnaissance, Medium Armour, Manoeuvre Support and the Basic Capability Utility.

The MoD has now announced that the General Dynamics (UK) Piranha 5 is the first vehicle to be selected. It will serve the role as the FRES Utility vehicle.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, said:

"Whilst our Protected Personnel Vehicles such as Mastiff are a very successful addition to meet specific operational requirements in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it is the FRES medium weight capability which will allow the Army to conduct a considerably wider range of operations in an uncertain and changing world. I am therefore delighted that we are maintaining progress on this vital programme."

The FRES programme will equip the UK Armed Forces with new medium weight armoured vehicles. The Utility Vehicle Design is one of a number of competitions being conducted as part of the competitive acquisition strategy for FRES. On 6 February 2008, the MOD announced that a Thales (UK) and Boeing team had been appointed for the System of Systems Integrator (SOSI) role. In addition, a competition to select an integrator for the Utility Vehicle is ongoing. Further competitions will select the designs for other variants.

Source: MoD

Brazil to purchase additional Piranhas

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has announced that the Brazilian Navy and MOWAG GmbH have signed a contract for a further batch of 5 PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 in amphibious version.

The newly signed contract comprises 5 PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 APC vehicles in the configuration as delivered previously. The contract signed now is a follow-on order to the 7 vehicles ordered in 2006 (6 APCs and 1 Recovery Vehicle). The PIRANHAs will be used primarily within the framework of international UN mission of the Brazilian Marines in Haiti.

The PIRANHA IIIC amphibious has a length of 7.57 m, a width of 2.71 m, and a GVW of 18.5 t. The vehicle reaches a speed of up to 100 km/h on the road. The PIRANHA IIIC manages gradients of up to 60%, fording depths of up to 1.50 m and is able to swim up to a speed of 10 km/h. 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.

Source: Press Release

Photo: GDELS

Spain to get more Piranha IIICs

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has announced that Spain's Ministry of Defence and MOWAG GmbH signed a contract for a further batch of 21 units of the PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 in the amphibious version. 18 PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 are in operation with the Spanish Marines. The new vehicles will be manufactured in Kreuzlingen and delivered from the year 2009 until 2014. The newly signed contract comprises 21 PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 in nine variants to solve specific operational tasks: APC, Fire Capability, Command Post, Engineering, Ambulance, Recovery and Reconnaissance. MOWAG's CEO, Christoph Frei, was proud and pleased about the close cooperation with Spain, and he declared: “This contract is further proof of our customers' confidence in the performance and reliability of our PIRANHA, and of the good strategic partnership between the Spanish authorities and MOWAG GmbH".

The PIRANHAs will be used primarily within the framework of international missions of the Spanish Army. The threat situation in such missions specifically calls for a high level of protection for the vehicle crews against mines and ballistic weapons. 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.

Source: Press release