The Swiss Federal Office of Armament (armasuisse) announced on 12 April 2023 that it has signed a contract with GDELS-Mowag valued at CHF 175 M (EUR 177.7 M) for the production of a second tranche of 16 120 mm Mortar 16 systems.
With the Swiss Parliament having approved the procurement, subcontractor RUAG will supply its 120 mm Cobra recoiling mortar systems for the requirement. The Piranha IV 8×8 armoured personnel carrier (APC) from GDELS-Mowag, which is the general contractor for the weapon system, will be used as the carrier vehicle for the mortars.
The follow-on contract also includes additional protected trucks for ammunition supply as well as funds for mission logistics.
With 32 Mortar 16 systems initially ordered, this means that a total of 48 mortars will now be procured under the programme.
The 32 Mortar 16 systems of the first tranche are currently being manufactured and, according to the existing schedule, will be delivered to the Swiss Army between 2024 and 2025. Production of the additional 16 systems will take place after this, with deliveries planned to take place from 2026 and the programme now set to be concluded by 2029.
The new Piranha IV-mounted 120 mm Cobra mortars will be used to replace the Swiss Army’s Model 64/91 tracked self-propelled mortars, which were based on M113 APCs but were decommissioned in 2010.
Since then Swiss combat battalions have been without indirect fire support from 120 mm mortars. The resurgence of such a capability is deemed particularly useful for combat in built-up environments, where the high firing angle of a mortar can address targets that are not in line of sight.
Peter Felstead
