Donar for Switzerland

The Swiss procurement authority armasuisse and KNDS have signed a comprehensive contract for the acquisition of 32 AGM wheeled howitzer systems mounted on the Piranha IV (KNDS designation: DONAR 10x10). KNDS, acting as the prime contractor, and GDELS-Mowag, responsible as subcontractor for the Piranha IV carrier vehicle, will deliver the production systems to the Swiss Armed Forces starting in 2031. Additional elements of the contract include equipping the army with 32 ammunition loading containers developed by KNDS, training equipment, and comprehensive logistical support.

“With this contract, KNDS is implementing Switzerland’s largest artillery procurement project of recent years. We are grateful not only for this significant procurement order itself, but also for the decades-long partnership and the fundamental trust placed in us by the Swiss user community and armasuisse. KNDS will deliver more than just wheeled howitzers. As a systems provider, we offer a comprehensive mission solution tailored to customer requirements—from system training and maintenance, to logistical support, and even ammunition storage,” said Florian Hohenwarter, CEO of KNDS Deutschland.

The modular approach of the automatic and remotely operated Artillery Gun Module (AGM) enables its integration onto the latest 10x10 variant of the Piranha IV from GDELS-Mowag. The AGM is the only system in the world capable of conducting artillery fire missions while on the move. In addition to the RCH 155, which is under contract in Germany, the UK, Qatar, and Ukraine, the DONAR 10x10 is KNDS’s second wheeled howitzer system featuring all the capabilities of modern tube artillery.

The AGM provides full autonomy of the overall system in command and control, navigation, and fire control, while its inherent system stability enables entirely new operational possibilities.

The DONAR 10x10 can be fully operated with a crew of two. Optionally, the vehicle provides sufficient space for an additional crew member (2+1) or extra storage capacity. The AGM has a 360° firing arc. Thanks to the robust 10x10 multi-link suspension system, no mechanical stabilization is required during firing, allowing the main weapon to fire while moving. Its distinctive “shoot & scoot” capability, as well as MRSI capability (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact), and both indirect and direct targeting against moving land and sea targets underscore the system’s outstanding artillery capabilities.

KNDS already successfully offers the AGM artillery module on the 8x8 BOXER wheeled armored vehicle in the RCH 155 variant. The KNDS RCH 155 is currently under contract with four nations.