General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has secured a contract with the German Army to provide up to 256 Piranha 5 vehicles.
The order forms a part the German Army’s ‘Tactical Wide Area Network’ (TaWAN) project, which is aimed at enhancing long-range telecommunications. Rheinmetall is the lead contractor overseeing this entire project.
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The initial order for 58 vehicles is valued in the three-digit million range, with deliveries commencing in 2026.
Partnering with Rheinmetall, GDELS will equip the Piranha 5 with a 15m telescopic mast system, transforming it into an armoured, highly mobile connectivity hub within the TaWAN network.
Earlier in February 2025, Rheinmetall Electronics was tasked with establishing an integrated communication network known as the TaWAN Land Based Operations (TaWAN LBO). The framework contract for TaWAN LBO spans ten years.
The primary role of TaWAN LBO is to serve as an open transport network for federated mission networking, utilising protected core network technology to link forward tactical D-LBO networks with the rear-echelon core network CIR.
GDELS vice-president and GDELS-Deutschland managing director Thomas Kauffmann said: “We will deliver first Piranha 5 series vehicles already next year and establish manufacturing and sustainment capabilities in Germany.”
To support the German Army’s operational readiness, GDELS plans to establish a system support centre in Neubrandenburg.
The Piranha vehicles are designed for fulfilling various mission roles such as armoured personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, and command, control and communication, among others.
The vehicle, which includes interchangeable add-on modules for mission-specific needs, provides ballistic protection against kinetic energy projectiles, fragments, and bomblets.
Mine protection covers anti-tank blast mines, claymore-type mines, RPGs, EFPs, IEDs, and artillery shells.
In addition, GDELS noted the successful deployment of the Piranha 3 Kompak with the Swiss Army.
In 2024, the Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse) chose the PIRANHA IV 10×10 Heavy Mission Carrier for a new artillery system, which features an uncrewed and remote-controlled artillery gun from KNDS Deutschland.
