armasuisse signs artillery contract with KNDS Deutschland for AGM on Piranha IV

The Swiss Armed Forces are modernising their artillery. Today’s armoured howitzer M109 dates back to the 1960s and is to be replaced by a new system. For this purpose, armasuisse has signed the procurement contract with the German manufacturer KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG.

The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has signed the contract for procuring the new artillery system of the Swiss Armed Forces with KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. The AGM Artillery Gun Module artillery system is being procured on the Piranha IV carrier platform from the Swiss manufacturer GDELS-Mowag. It is a further, decisive milestone in the project “Artillery weapons platform and ammunition 2026” (Art WPWM) which was presented as part of the Armed Forces Dispatch 2025. The new system will replace the armoured howitzer M109 from the 1960s currently in service and modernise the indirect fire support of the Armed Forces. Altogether, one prototype and 32 series systems will be procured. In addition to the artillery systems, resources for the ammunitions logistics, training and simulation systems, spare parts, documentation and tools will also be procured in the contract. An initial range of modern projectiles, detonators and ammunition will likewise be purchased as part of the project. These will improve the impact on the target in comparison with the current ammunition and enable a greater range of artillery fire. A prototype with the final configuration for the Swiss Armed Forces is to be completed in 2027 and subjected to a qualification in 2028. The series systems will be supplied to the Swiss Armed Forces from 2031.
Project Artillery weapons platform and ammunition 2026 (Art WPWM)
The artillery replacement will improve the effect against targets on the ground and thus strengthen defence capability.
The Swiss Armed Forces’ current artillery system with the armoured howitzer M109 from the 1960s is nearing the end of its useful life. With the project Artillery weapons platform and ammunition (Art WPWM), the Armed Forces are modernising this capability and adapting it to the current technological and operational requirements. Compared with the current system, the new system is to be more mobile and offer better protection as well as increase impact distance and precision. It will have a faster and wider impact, as well change position quickly and operate on a networked basis. Modern sensory analysis, digital command and control and automated processes increase the response capacity, protection and effect in operation.
Evaluation and type selection
The new artillery system will be evaluated in several stages. After the shortlist decision in August 2022, mobility trials, amongst other things, took place in Switzerland, as well as field trials and logistical investigations abroad. The AGM system on Piranha IV was chosen in November 2024.
Contribution to the Federal Council’s Armament Policy Strategy
The procurement contributes to the implementation of the Federal Council’s Armament Policy Strategy of 20 June 2025. This envisages strengthening cooperation with suppliers from neighbouring states and other European countries. By selecting the Piranha IV as the carrier platform from the Swiss manufacturer GDELS-Mowag, a portion of the added value will, at the same time, be generated in Switzerland. The procurement will thus combine security and armament policy cooperation in Europe with the reinforcement of industrial core capabilities and capacities in Switzerland.
With Art WPWM, Switzerland is obtaining a modern artillery system which will strengthen the defence capability of the Swiss Armed Forces and encourage cooperation with European partner states.
Armed Forces Dispatch 2025
Press release 5 November 2024: New artillery system: Type selected