Stryker Light Sales Soar in Europe

StrategyPage ^ | February 9, 2006

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Yet another European nation is replacing its Cold War era armored vehicles, with wheeled vehicles similar to the American Stryker. Belgium has ordered 241 Piranha IIIC vehicles. This vehicle is based on the Piranha III LAV, long used by the U.S. Marines. These vehicles were designed by Mowag of Switzerland, a company now owned by General Dynamics. The 14 ton, 8x8 vehicle has a maximum road speed of 100 kilometers an hour. Belgium is getting several variants of the vehicle, (99 infantry carriers, 32 armed with a 30-mm autocannon, 40 with a 90-mm cannon., 24 command vehicles, 12 ambulances, 17 recovery and repair, and 18 engineer vehicles.) Deliveries begin late next year. These vehicles cost about a million dollars each. This is much cheaper than the U.S. Stryker (which go for about $1.8 million each), and has raised questions if the additional features (sensors and computers) in the Stryker are worth the cost. The troops using Stryker are very much in favor of a vehicle they "boot up" instead of start up. Since the European wheeled armored vehicles are unlikely to see combat, the controversy will continue.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

242 MOWAG PIRANHA IIIC 8x8 Vehicles for Belgium

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Piranha III 8x8

[toddlintown]

"Since the European wheeled armored vehicles are unlikely to see combat.."

I would have never considered this--but it's the truth.

[TUX]

unlikely to see combat.."

Why should they when EU can depend on the US to do the fighting and save their arse.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Czechs to Buy 199 Pandur II APCS for $1 billion

[F16Fighter]

Prepping for Muslim uprising I see?

[1rudeboy]

Damn, does General Dynamics have a lock on this market, or what?

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Stryker Brigade Combat Team Tactical Studies Group (Chairborne)

[Khurkris]

"Main vehicle sub-systems include the CMI 90mm Turret, the ELBIT 30mm Overhead Weapon Station, the FN Herstal ARROWS 12,7mm Overhead Weapon Station, all with OIP electro-optical aiming Systems, the THALES Belgium Communication System, Threat detection Systems for Lasers and Small Arms (OIP) and the Pearson Surface Mine Plough and Dozer Blade. A main focus was paid by MOWAG to offer a product with high commonality and compatibility within the AIV fleet itself, other vehicles of the Belgium Army and NATO countries."

Kitted out nicely with Euro OEM additions. Everybody wins in this contract.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

General Dynamics Land Systems

General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas

MOWAG

Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezial- fahrzeug GmbH

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[tonycavanagh]

re :"Since the European wheeled armored vehicles are unlikely to see combat..

Apart from those European nations with contingents in Afghanistan and Iraq

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Tallguy]

That was my first thought. The LAV III would seem to be an excellent police vehicle for crowd control. Much higher utility for a European nation than a true tank.

[albionvectis]

Certainly doesn't apply to the British Army which is currently deployed in over 80 countries:

http://www.army.mod.uk/deployments/index.htm

Using this kit:

http://army2.mod.uk/CHS/index1.html

[Cannoneer No. 4]

What can the one do that the other can't?

[albionvectis]

Hide successfully in sand? :D

If you are interested in photos of current conflicts and equipment, this page is well worth browsing:

http://www.defenceimagedatabase.mod.uk/fotoweb/

[FreeManWhoCan]

Hello Freepers: I work for a freight forwarder that ships military vehicles to the middle east. Can anyone here sugeest any ideas or point me in the right direction where I could pursue more business like this? This post is fantastic by the way!