Further MOWAG PIRANHAs for Denmark
Third order from the Danish Army for PIRANHA IIIC 8x8
KREUZLINGEN, Switzerland – On October 5, 2004 the Danish Army Materiel Command (DAMC) and MOWAG AG – a General Dynamics company – signed a contract for the delivery of 91 armoured vehicles of the PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 type with a total value of close to 140 Million Swiss Francs (approx. US$ 112 Million). This is already the third order from the Danish Army.
At the beginning of this year, the Danish Army announced that it intended to use the MOWAG PIRANHA III 8x8 as the standard platform for future procurement activities of protected vehicles in this category, after having ordered the first 22 PIRANHAs in 1997 and a further 22 PIRANHAs in 2003. The vehicles ordered in 2003 are at present being manufactured in Kreuzlingen.
The newly signed contract comprises 69 PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 in the APC, Ambulance, Command Post, and Reconnaissance vehicle versions and also the 22 APC and Ambulance vehicles contracted already in 2003. Delivery will start in February 2005 with the Ambulance vehicles being delivered first.
MOWAG’s Managing Director, Simon T. Honess, was proud and pleased about the close cooperation with Denmark, 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 Danish authorities and MOWAG AG”.
The PIRANHAs of the most recent order, too, will be used primarily within the framework of international missions of the Danish Army, and thus signifies the changed focus of Danish Armed Forces. The threat situation in such missions specifically calls for a high level of protection for the vehicle crews against mines and ballistic weapons. With the PIRANHA IIIC 8x8, the technology-minded company from Kreuzlingen offers a proven vehicle, which fulfils this high-ranking requirement of protection. With its third order, the Danish Army continues to trust in the reliability and performance of the successful product from Kreuzlingen.
Facts about the PIRANHA IIIC
With the PIRANHA III, which is manufactured in the 8x8 and 10x10 versions and was first presented in 1997, MOWAG has set the standard in the domain of armoured wheeled vehicles in the weight class of up to 20 t. The PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 is 7.58 m long and 2.66 m wide. The total useful volume in the interior is approx. 12 m3. On the road, the PIRANHA III reaches a speed of up to 100 km/h; it manages gradients of up to 60%, obstacles with a height of up to 60 cm, and fording depths of up to 1.5 m without problems. The 400 HP Caterpillar engine, in connection with the ZF 7-speed automatic transmission, the modern independent wheel suspension, the tire pressure regulation system, and the disengageable all-wheel drive give the PIRANHA an outstanding mobility even in difficult terrain.
MOWAG AG of Kreuzlingen develops, designs, and manufactures technologically advanced special vehicles for military use. Far more than 10'000 armoured wheeled vehicles of the MOWAG PIRANHA, MOWAG EAGLE, and MOWAG DURO series are fielded all over the world. Since October of 2003, MOWAG is part of the General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems group, and employs a qualified staff of more than 500 in its Kreuzlingen site. More information available at www.mowag.ch.
The General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems group is part of General Dynamics Corporation (GD), the largest armaments group in the world. General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs a staff of 70'000 in its worldwide operations, and will generate an estimated turnover of $19 billion in 2004. GD is a world market leader in the field of tactical IT systems, land-based and amphibious weapon systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aircraft.
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Any "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
General Dynamics Corporation (ticker: GD, exchange: NYSE)
News Release - Thursday, October 7, 2004
Press Contact: +41 (0)71 677 57 77
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