- Yes
- No
Why have i made a suggestion for a trialed only vehicle?
While this vehicle isn’t in any way Polish, its configuration is largely unique. If it had been promoted by MOWAG to other countries in this exact setup, I wouldn’t have made this suggestion. However, I am aware of only one comparable variant which has some structural changes (such as a commander’s cupola) and is equipped with Turkish FNSS Sharpshooter.
HISTORY
During the 1990s, the Polish Armed Forces initiated modernization efforts to replace their aging Soviet-era inventory with modern, western-standard wheeled armored vehicles. This set the stage for intense competition at MSPO defense exhibitions in Kielce.
During the MSPO 1997 in Kielce, the Swiss manufacturer MOWAG partnered with Poland’s Bumar Łabędy and OBRUM to present the Piranha II 8x8, competing primarily against the HSW Pandur offered by the Huta Stalowa Wola and Steyr. At the MSPO 1998 exhibition, the vehicle was fitted with the United Defense Sharpshooter turret which was present year earlier on BWP-1M.
The Piranha II 8x8 hull offered high mobility, powered by a Detroit Diesel 6V-53T engine producing 275 PS paired with an Allison MT 653 DR transmission. This setup allowed the vehicle to reach highway speeds of up to 100 km/h and maintain amphibious operation with a maximum swimming speed of 10.5 km/h.
The main cannon is a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun with an automatic loading system and a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute. The Sharpshooter turret featured a full two-plane electric stabilization system for accurate firing while on the move, alongside a modern day and night sight equipped with a 2nd generation thermal imaging camera.
When the anticipated tender was announced in 1999, HSW was the clear favorite, with the most technically interesting, economically sound, and conceptually mature offer, far exceeding the Ministry of National Defense’s expectations. However, surprisingly, the tender was left unresolved. Decisions in this matter were made in circumstances that remain unclear.
Following this delay, the Polish military outlined new requirements for a 2001 tender. This prompted MOWAG and its partners to move on from the Piranha II platform, shifting their focus instead toward promoting the newer, heavier Piranha III series.
CHARACTERISTICS
ARMAMENT
Turret: Sharpshooter
- Horizontal/Vertical guidance speed: 60 deg/s
25 mm M242
- Elevation: -9°/+48°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
- Ammo capacity: 200 rds ready racked
- Ammo: Standard 25 mm
- 7,62 mm M240
- Ammo capacity: 230 rounds ready racked
MOBILITY
- Crew (3): Driver, Commander, Gunner
- Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V-53T
- power: ≈202 kW / 275 PS @ 2800 rpm
- Transmission: Allison MT 653 DR
- Gears: 5 forward, 1 reverse
- Max speed: 100 km/h
- Max swimming speed: 10.5 km/h
- Combat weight: ~11 500 kg
- Amphibious
OPTICS, ELECTRONICS
Gunner optic: ?
- Thermal camera
- 2nd generation
- Day camera
DIMENSIONS
Overall length: 6800 mm
Overall width: 2600 mm
Height with turret: ? mm
Summarized characteristics
- Crew (3)
- Driver, gunner, commander
- 25mm M242
- Ammo: Standard 25mm
- Elevation: -9°/+48°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
- Gunner sight
- Thermal camera
- 2nd generation
- Thermal camera
- Turret combat weight: ~1.5 t
- Engine: 6V-53T ≈202 kW / 275 PS @ 2800 rpm
- Max speed: 100 km/h
- Length 6,8 m Width: 2,6 m Height: ? m
Photos
Sources
Armament, Optics, electronics
- UD Sharpshooter on IFVL
- Jane’s Armour and Artillery Upgrades 2002-2003