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28-511: As the Piranha IV was being developed, the ownership of MOWAG changed. It was acquired by General Dynamics in 2004 to become part of General Dynamics European Land Systems . Following the previous version of the Piranha (Piranha III) and its derivatives ( LAV III , Stryker ), a need for a larger and better protected vehicle arose from the international weapons market. The solution offered by Mowag

56-637: A C4I command system. It is likely to become the successor of the Swiss Army "Radio Access Point Panzer". The vehicle takes the chassis developed for the RCH-155 mounted variant, and can be fitted for various missions. GDELS announced this variant in April 2024. It is designed for a 17 tons payload, and a total weight of up to 40 tons. The axles 1, 2, 4 and 5 are steered. The turning circle is lower than 18 meters. The programme "Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026"

84-519: A Fleet Management Services office in Southbank, Melbourne. In 2003 GDLS acquired Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH (SSF), the land defense vehicles unit of Steyr-Daimler-Puch , and General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C), a subsidiary of General Dynamics based in London, Ontario , purchased General Motors Diesel , GM Defense unit from General Motors . At the time, it produced vehicles such as

112-501: A Sapper System complementary to the Kodiak. Moreover, the urbanisation of Switzerland having increased implied that some additional capabilities were needed on top of the demining mission and it would have to be modular to exploit the investment to the fullest. The StratCom (Strategic Communication Systems) was presented by GDELS at Eurosatory 2024. It is equipped with a 15-meter communication mast system with point-to-point radio systems, and

140-814: A domestic industry in a global market. The division operates the Lima Army Tank Plant and General Dynamics Anniston Operations in Anniston, Alabama , along with smaller operations in Tallahassee, Florida , and Scranton, Pennsylvania . Headquarters are located in Sterling Heights, Michigan . As of 2016, General Dynamics Land Systems employed 6,800 people. General Dynamics European Land Systems Military vehicles , bridging systems , artillery , missiles, small arms, turrets, ammunition, maintenance & services General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDLS)

168-448: A major player in the field of light and middle armoured vehicles. The main vehicles being manufactured by GM Canada included the highly successful Mowag Piranha family and its derivatives: Mowag Motorwagenfabrik AG was therefore part of the acquisition in 2003, and as the corporate structure was adapted, Mowag was put under the leadership of GDELS S.L. but it still collaborated heavily with GDLS Canada, GDLS USA, and GD UK. Note, only

196-545: A more mobile heavy mortar system, and evaluated a need for 4 batteries to fulfil its mission. The need for a heavy mortar system arose after the Swiss Government decided to stop using the, "lm fort 12 cm 59/86" (fortress twin-mine launcher 12 cm) and the 15,5 cm Festungskanone 93 (an artillery gun 155mm Caliber L/52). This weapon system was developed for the Swiss Armed Forces , by GDELS Mowag and RUAG. Some of

224-554: A new generation of the Piranha family in 2007, the "Piranha Evolution". It was selected for FRES, along with the Boxer and the VBCI for FRES Utility Variant (UV) trials and the Piranha V with General Dynamics UK was chosen as the preferred bidder to develop the Piranha into a vehicle to meet British requirements but the UV requirement was dropped due to budget cuts and the decision reversed. Despite losing

252-525: Is a Swiss Army project for a successor to its M109 Kawest tracked self-propelled howitzers. In 2022, two systems were shortlisted for the programme: In November 2024,, as port of the programme Artillerie " Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026" , the Swiss Armed Forces selected the RCH-155 artillery system (competing against the Archer and against the RCH-155 on Boxer 8×8). The Armed forces are preparing

280-565: Is an automotive and arms manufacturer spread across Europe, with a headquarter in Madrid , Spain. It is a business unit of General Dynamics which consolidated in one structure all European subsidiaries of GDLS. At the beginning of the years 2000, General Dynamics acquired major European defence companies, and consolidated the activities and expanded the collaborations. Within General Dynamics Corporation , as of January 2022, GDELS

308-437: Is one of the three "Combat Systems" business units, and all have there subsidiaries: The subsidiaries and official structure of General Dynamics European Land Systems, S.L are: Note: The Botswanan, Czech, Danish and Romanian subsidiaries are liaison offices regarding contracts in execution with the military of these countries. For General Dynamics Corporation, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH  [ de ]

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336-503: Is the protection level. The following vehicles are in service, or in development to enter service. The German Army is looking for a successor to the Fennek scout vehicle. GDELS Mowag offered a Piranha 6×6 variant at around 20 tonnes. In October 2024, the Piranha was selected by the German Army, and the contract is expected to be signed in early 2025. The Swiss Army expressed the need for

364-669: The LAV-25 and Stryker . The London operation continued in the GM Diesel plant location. SSF merged into the General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) unit. In 2015, GDLS Canada secured a fourteen-year, $ 15-billion deal to supply light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia . Representatives from Unifor , the plant union, expressed concern that the London facility would suffer financially due to negative publicity surrounding

392-800: The M60 and M1 tanks for the United States Army. In 1985, 3 years after the sale from Chrysler, General Dynamics production plants in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania went on strike. Members of these plants were part of the United Automobile Workers union. The strike was primarily around wage increases. On April 11, 2024, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced its sanction on the company due to its arms sales to Taiwan . General Dynamics Land Systems–Australia ( GDLS-Australia or GDLS-A )

420-704: The Piranha IV; the Japanese army selected the Type 16 for the role, and there was never a proper interest by the UK. In 2007, the UK launched the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) competition for a heavy multi-role armoured vehicle after cancelling participation in the Boxer collaboration. The British Armed Forces were looking for a much higher protection level than was possible with the Piranha IV. GDELS Mowag therefore presented

448-436: The acquisition by General Dynamics are mentioned here. FWW Fahrzeugwerk GmbH is a company that was founded in 2001. It was developed as a service and maintenance provider for military customers. Its main client became the German Army. It also has activities as an arms dealer. General Dynamics Corporation expanded its business in land systems at the beginning of the years 2000. General Motors Canada and its subsidiaries were

476-401: The contracts for approval by the parliament, and to integrate the command and communication system into the platform. General Dynamics Land Systems General Dynamics Land Systems ( GDLS ) is a manufacturer of military vehicles, including tanks and light armored fighting vehicles . The company is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan , and is a subsidiary of General Dynamics . It

504-542: The deal due to human rights concerns within Saudi Arabia . Both Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and New Democrat Thomas Mulcair challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the secrecy surrounding military sales to Saudi Arabia. David Perry, senior analyst with the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute , argued that secrecy in trade details is part of a pragmatic foreign trade policy necessary for

532-642: The establishment of a significant Australian supplier base to support manufacturing for GDLS' global supply chain for LAV-25 turrets. GDLS-A’s primary customer is the Defence Materiel Organisation , Commonwealth of Australia, located in Melbourne , Victoria. Its National Manufacturing and Support Centre is located north of Adelaide in Pooraka . GDLS-A also has Field Service Groups in Darwin and Brisbane , and

560-596: The main elements of its design are: As part of the Armament Program 2021, this vehicle was designed to replace the fleet of Minenräumpanzer – M113 63/00 , a demining armoured vehicle. In the Swiss Army, the M113 63/00 is not the only sapper vehicle in service. Since 2008, the Kodiak (Leopard 2) was introduced, its mission being to support a heavy assault to breach minefields, trenches, and ditches. The Swiss Army needed therefore

588-571: The program, GDELS-Mowag developed this variant further into the 33-tonne Piranha V . GDELS-Mowag is able to offer 8×8 armoured vehicles in several weight categories including competing in the heavy category against the Boxer, the VBCI, the Patria AMV , and the Freccia IFV . This enabled the sale of the Piranha V to Denmark, Spain, Romania and Monaco. One of the main differences with the former Piranha vehicles

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616-587: Was acquired by Alvis Vickers (which became BAE Systems Platforms & Services ) with the intention to manufacture the Piranha IV in the UK and in South Africa. Another licence was acquired by Komatsu which was looking for a 8x8 platform for the "Future Wheeled Combat Vehicle" ( Shorai Sorin Sento Sharyo ) of the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force . In the end, neither company manufactured

644-513: Was an 8×8 with an internal volume of 12 m (420 cu ft) (compared to the 11 m of the Piranha IIIC). Vehicle weight was 25 t (25 long tons; 28 short tons) (18.5 t for the Piranha IIIC). Despite this weight increase, the mobility of the vehicle was improved thanks to a new suspension design and a more powerful engine. This new generation of the Piranha family triggered the interest of foreign manufacturers. A licence for its production

672-405: Was an interesting prospect as they were collaborating with Santa Barbara Sistemas A GD subsidiary prior to its acquisition on the program ASCOD (Austrian - Spanish Cooperative Development), a new tracked infantry fighting vehicle . Note, only the products developed or manufactured after the acquisition by General Dynamics are mentioned here. EWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern  [ de ]

700-409: Was created as a steel construction company in 1864. In 2002, the defence activity was acquired by General Dynamics, it was temporarly associated to Santa Bárbara Sistemas. In 2003 GDELS was created, and EWK became GDELS– Bridge Systems GmbH, a subsidiary of GDELS - Deutschland GmbH. The core defence activity is focused on military bridging systems. Note, only the products developed or manufactured after

728-711: Was established in 2000 as a subsidiary to support the production of ASLAV . GDLS-A now provides engineering, manufacturing, systems integration, upgrade and fleet management services for GDLS Armoured Fighting Vehicles in the Asia Pacific region. In Australia this includes the ADF's ASLAV Light Armoured Vehicles and M1A1 Main Battle Tanks, supported under a Through Life Support Contract awarded in June 2011. GDLS-A reports operationally to General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada (GDLS-C). GDLS-A

756-735: Was established in October 2000 as General Motors Defence Australia. General Motors Defense operations worldwide were sold to General Dynamics Land Systems in March 2003. GDLS-A was established as a result of GDLS-C being awarded the Phase III contract to provide 144 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) to the Commonwealth of Australia. The contract provided for the manufacture of the LAV-25 turret system in Adelaide and

784-602: Was originally established in 1982 following the acquisition of Chrysler Defense . GDLS is known for developing and manufacturing vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank, Stryker , and LAV 6 . In February 1982 Chrysler announced the sale of Chrysler Defense, its profitable defense subsidiary, to General Dynamics for US$ 348.5 million. The sale was completed in March 1982 for the revised figure of US$ 336.1 million and renamed General Dynamics Land Systems. Under this newly formed division, General Dynamics would take over production of

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