A 60-year era of tracked M109s is officially coming to an end for the Swiss artillery forces. The Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement (armasuisse) has signed a strategic procurement contract with German defense giant KNDS Deutschland to modernize the army’s firepower with next-generation wheeled howitzers.
Under the project, the AGM (Artillery Gun Module) developed by KNDS will be integrated onto the Piranha IV 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle platform built by Swiss manufacturer GDELS‑Mowag. This will give the Swiss Army a highly mobile, wheeled howitzer system fully adapted to modern battlefield conditions.
32 Series Production Systems to be Supplied
This contract – a key milestone in the “Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026” (Art WPWM / Artillery Platform and Munitions 2026) project, presented under the 2025 Army Message – covers the supply of one prototype and 32 series production systems. The agreement includes not only the main weapon systems but also ammunition logistics vehicles, training and simulation systems, spare parts, technical documentation and maintenance equipment. Additionally, the first batch of next‑generation munitions, fuzes and propelling charges – which will increase the system’s effectiveness on target and significantly extend its range – will be purchased under this contract.
Deliveries Begin in 2031
The first prototype, configured to the Swiss Army’s final operational requirements, is targeted for completion in 2027. System qualification and unit trials will take place in 2028. Following successful trials, series production will begin, with the first systems scheduled to enter Swiss Army inventory from 2031 onwards.
The Piranha IV + AGM combination – selected in November 2024 after demanding mobility tests in Switzerland and firing and logistics trials abroad, with the process launched in August 2022 – offers significant advantages over the old M109 systems. The most critical operational feature of the system is its wheeled platform architecture, which increases both strategic and tactical mobility compared to the tracked M109 systems. This high mobility also allows the system to change position quickly after completing its firing mission – in military terms, it maximises “shoot‑and‑scoot” capability.
The redesigned platform provides better armour protection for the crew, while integrated next‑generation fire control systems and modern munitions enable higher accuracy against targets. All these physical capabilities are supported by the vehicle’s modern sensor architecture, automated processes and digital command‑and‑control systems. This digital infrastructure allows the system to operate fully integrated into a network‑centric warfare environment, while minimising the reaction time from target detection to firing, thereby increasing combat effectiveness.
Added Value for Domestic Industry and European Integration
This strategic procurement programme aligns with the Swiss Federal Council’s armaments policy strategy of 20 June 2025. In line with the strategy’s aim of strengthening cooperation with suppliers in neighbouring and European countries, the Swiss‑built Piranha IV was chosen as the mobility platform. Moreover, because the platforms will be produced at GDELS‑Mowag’s facilities, part of the added value generated by the project will remain in Switzerland. This supports the country’s critical industrial capabilities and technological capacity while strengthening European security and defence industry cooperation.
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Source: C4Defence-Le portal du Gouvernement suisse
