Germany has awarded General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) a contract to deliver Piranha V armored fighting vehicles for the army’s ground telecommunications expansion project.
The “three-digit-million range” deal orders 256 platforms that will all be mounted with a 15-meter (49-foot) Tactical Wide Area Network telescopic tower to work as the force’s future connectivity point for mobile communications and directional radio management.
GDELS will support the fleet’s technical requirements, logistics, and sustainment by constructing a facility in Neubrandenburg.
The first tranche will include 58 vehicles that will be delivered in 2026.
“We are very grateful and proud about the trust the Bundeswehr and our industrial partner has bestowed upon GDELS,” GDELS VP and GDELS-Deutschland Managing Director Dr. Thomas Kauffmann stated.
GDELS President Antonio Bueno added: “The undertaken effort is demonstrating GDELS’ strong commitment as a reliable partner for the Bundeswehr and Germany. We look forward to this opportunity and to reinforcing our dedication to this important home market.”
The Piranha V System
GDELS’ 30-ton (66,138-pound) Piranha V vehicle measures 8 meters (26 feet) long and is covered by 14.5-millimeter resistant armor protection.
In its base configuration, the 8×8 platform can carry up to eight passengers and is commonly armed with autocannons, missile launchers, mortars, and machine guns.
It is powered by an MTU or Scania engine with up to 600 horsepower for a speed of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour and a range of more than 500 kilometers (311 miles).
German Army’s TaWAN Upgrade
Germany’s Tactical Wide Area Network (TaWAN) for Land Based Operations project is an effort to modernize the army’s connectivity for command and control tasks across the evolving battlefield.
In addition to the Piranha vehicles, the corresponding communication equipment will be fitted into 6-meter (20-foot) containers carried by about 102 8×8 HX military trucks.
Berlin awarded the prime TaWAN transaction to local defense contractor Rheinmetall last January.
The framework is valued at 1.88 billion euros ($1.97 billion) and is set to increase if all options from 2026 to 2029 are exercised.
