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Piranha IV

In 2001, it became known about the existence of a new project of the Piranha family. Another armored car received an even more powerful engine: a 540-horsepower MTU diesel engine. In addition, the fourth "Piranha" received an updated armored hull with a characteristic bottom profile that protects the crew and troops from mine explosions. The exact characteristics of the Piranha IV are not yet clear - design work is still ongoing. At the same time, several reports have already been received about the desire of some countries to start assembling such armored cars under license. Great Britain and Japan showed their interest in the new car.

The combat weight of the Piranha IV is approximately equal to 24 tons, ten of which fall on the payload or on the combat module. The size of the car has also increased. Now the width of the armored car is 2.8 meters, and the length has increased to 7.25 m. In terms of the number of soldiers transported, the Piranha IV remained at the level of the previous model - a crew of up to three people (depending on the type of weapons) and up to seven people landing. The proposed armament of the armored car is quite diverse and can have a caliber of 7.62 mm in the case of machine guns and up to 105 mm cannons. In this case, the main emphasis is on systems equipped with heavy machine guns and small-caliber artillery. Turrets and turrets with M2HB machine gun or 25 and 30 mm cannons are currently offered.

As part of the British FRES program, along with special equipment ( Special-Vehicle, SV ), among other things, it was planned to produce conventional means of transporting personnel ( Utility-Vehicle ). This part of the program in 2007 even received the highest priority. As a result, for several months, the VBCI 1, Piranha IV Evolution and Boxer models were subjected to severe comparative tests ( Trials of Truth ). The "temporary winner" of the competition in 2008 was "Piranha IV". However, in December 2008, suddenly, the part of the program concerning special armored vehicles received preference.

For a number of reasons, the total number of armored vehicles of the Piranha IV line has not yet exceeded one and a half to two dozen. Basically, these are prototypes of combat vehicles with various weapons. Negotiations regarding deliveries have been going on for more than a year, but so far there have been no firm orders.