Alvis Piranha II 90mm LCTS

[Sebbo_the_Plebbo]

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

• Yes
• No

A British built, Swiss designed vehicle with a Belgian turret marketed to clients in the Middle East.

Introduction

In January 1991, GKN Defence (soon to become Alvis Vehicles) announced that Swiss company MOWAG had awarded them a contract to construct a significant number of Pirahna 8x8 AFVs for one of of MOWAGs middle eastern customers. This contract was for a total of 100 - 120 vehicles built by Alvis, of six different variants, to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence and Aviation (MODA). These included ambulance, recovery, surveillance, VIP APCs, and Mortar variants of the Piranha.

Following this successful partnership, MOWAG and Alvis signed an agreement which licensed Alvis to become a System Prime Contractor for the design, integration, production, and marketing of the Alvis Vehicles Piranha 8x8 for for agreed customers.

Subsequently, Alvis enjoyed moderate success producing, marketing, and exporting the Piranha 8x8. In 1994, Oman ordered a total of 80 Alvis Piranhas, with an agreed option for 46 further vehicles.

As well as producing a variety of vehicles for middle eastern customers, Alvis constructed a company demonstrator vehicle, used to mount a variety of turrets and market the vehicle to potential export customers. One such turret was the Belgian Cockerill 90mm LCTS turret - this export demonstrator equipped with the 90mm turret is the vehicle discussed in this suggestion.

This export demonstrator caught the interest of Qatar, who ordered a total of 40 Alvis Piranhas, 36 of which would be armed with the Cockerill 90mm LCTS. These remain in service with Qatar to this day.

The Alvis Piranha II Family

Spoiler

The Alvis-built Piranha IIs are a currently criminally under-appreciated and under-utilised piece of history that would be a fantastic way to get Britain some domestic wheeled mobility options in-game.

Alvis Piranha II IFV 1993

The earliest of the IFV variants, featuring the early Delco 25mm IFV turret, capable of firing 25mm APDS and early TOW missiles.

Alvis Piranha II IFV 1999

The Piranha II IFV as shown at MVEE 1999, fitted with the later Delco 25mm IFV turret, with an upgraded spaced armour array and the ability to fire 25mm APFSDS and later TOW variants, like 2A and 2B.

Alvis Piranha II IFV 2001

The latest Piranha II IFV, which also ended up being the least capable, as shown at IDEX 2001. The twin TOW launchers are completely removed from this turret, making it equivalent to better-known Piranha derivatives like the LAV-25s.

Alvis Piranha II 90mm LCTS

The Alvis Piranha II as fitted with the Belgian 90mm LCTS fire support turret, capable of firing APFSDS, HESH, HEAT, and HE.

Specifications

Spoiler

Chassis

Armament & Turret

Ammunition

Images

Spoiler

Alvis Piranha 90mm LCTS on the firing range in the UK

Sources

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Jane’s Armour & Artillery 2000-01 p.510-511 (available here)

Alvis Piranha Marketing Brochure (available here)

Cockerill LCTS 90mm Marketing Brochure (available here)

[Thomas_Belgium]

+1! I would gladly see this vehicle coming to War Thunder.

It was also recently added to a leak, but take that with a grain of salt:

Spoiler

[Columbia6448]

If this leak list is to be believed that A6 smells of AGM 88 HARM

[PlayedStatue626-live]

+1 would be quite a neat addition

[Thomas_Belgium]

it’s fake most likely, but you never know with these things.

[Thatz]

The Suggestion has been moved to other Nations under Qatar as even in the suggestion itself it states that Qatar ordered and operates this exact model.

[Sebbo_the_Plebbo]

I disagree with this suggestion being moved. It’s true that Qatar bought and operated British built Piranha IIs with the 90mm turret, but they were not carbon copies of the demonstrator vehicle outlined in this suggestion, they had some differences, so the demonstrator vehicle remains unique, and as such should be considered valid as a suggestion under British ground forces.

The Qataris requested a few modifications for their Piranhas compared to the demonstrator, including revised stowage and difference accessories such as headlights, presumably for more commonality with the existing vehicles and gear.

Comparison between the Alvis owned and operated demonstrator vehicle (left) and production standard Qatari vehicle (right). The numerous difference in the hull are circled. (The left picture is with the demonstrator and the IFV turret, it is the same hull for both, but there are only potato quality images showing the 90mm Demonstrator from this angle, so the IFV turret is better for comparison).

Comparison from a different angle between the Alvis owned and operated demonstrator vehicle (left) and production standard Qatari vehicle (right). The numerous difference in the hull are circled.

Like I said, the British operated demonstrator, which this suggestion is written for, is a distinct and unique vehicle and as such should be under British ground forces.

[OddPhenomena]

I acknowledge the suggestion is for the British demonstrator, but to add a bit of flair, a picture of these in Qatari service.

Spoiler

[Jarms]

My comment was removed. I also think moving this to other is a bad idea.

This isn’t Qatar’s model, the suggestion is for the tech demonstrator.

[da12thmonkey]

One of the vehicles built for Qatar, fresh out of the factory at GKN Sankey in Telford - what is now RBSL’s Hadley Castle works.

[CharAznable3]

For UK otherwise its a rather okay vehicle you get what’s on the tin.

+1 for the desert warrior