GDELS-Mowag have delivered the first 36 PIRANHA 5 APCs built for the Romanian Army. The 36 news APCs, 30 of which are configured as an IFV with a 30mm cannon and 6 as a Mobile Command Post with a remote turret with a 12,7 mm gun, have begun their journey from the UMB factory in Bucharest to Craiova.
The new APCs will enter service with the 26th Infantry Battalion - the „Red Scorpions” - in Craiova, part of the NATO Multinational Brigade South-East. The same unit already operates the Piranha IIIC amphibious APC.
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Romania signed back in 2018 a 900 million euros contract with Mowag (owned by General Dynamics) for 227 Piranha 5 8X8 armored personnel carriers, most of which should be assembled in Romania.
The first 36 were supposed to be delivered by the beginning of 2019, but the contract suffered many delays.
The Infantry Fighting Variant will have the UT-30 Mk2 turret with 30 mm cannon that will be produced by Elbit locally in Romania.
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