Alternative project version for 34M. Pz.K-41 with the same 34 mm main gun. This SPAAG was not armored. Nothing else is known.
Switzerland purchased 64 Staghounds from Britain in the 1950s. Some of those in Swiss army service were re-armed with 20 mm guns. Five of these Staghounds were turned over to the local K+W ordnance firm to examine more extensive rearmament packages including 47 mm and 90 mm gun upgrades, but these projects did not proceed beyond trials.
In the end of 1950s MOWAG produced MR 8 (also known as Wotan) APC in different variants: with autocannons, ATGM or 75 mm / 90 mm guns. MR 8 was built on chassis of MOWAG GW4500 truck (from 1955) and used steering of both axles. Gunned versions didn't go further than prototypes.
MR 8-75 seems to carry the same guns as Nahkampfkanone I. The whole index "8-75" can be not correct, but the vehicle is exactly a part of the MR 8 program.
The Mowag family of the armoured vehicle since 1972 is an outstanding export success, reminiscent of the past Swiss pikemen mercenary companies that roamed the battlefields of Europe in the Renaissance wars. This extremely versatile and modular vehicle was produced since 1972 in four derivatives, 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 and even 10×10, all with the same hull, and featured allowing extensive tailorization for any customer, from the engine to the main armament, as well as inexpensive maintenance and reconversions. It has been indeed converted to an air defense vehicle, ambulance, anti-tank vehicle, APC, cargo transport, command & control vehicle, or for electronic warfare, fire support, internal security, mortar carrier, recovery and reconnaissance among other things. It was not uncommon for a customer to purchase the vehicle in a single configuration, then order kits for conversions, and gradually convert obsolescent vehicles for other duties at low cost. The Mowag Piranha (From the famous Amazon river Characidae) was exported to 21 countries and also largely built under license as nowadays it is estimated that more than 10,000 Piranha-based vehicles are in service worldwide.
The most famous of them all, the 8×8 is by far the best known and most common. It is also perhaps the most produced 8×8 APC in the Western world, with more than 6,500 vehicles for this version alone. It was by any standards an influential model that spawned dozens of licensed versions, also inspiring a whole genre over five continents. This includes the concept of wheeled IFVs and destroyers that are popular today in many armies, as they can replace costly MBTs in low-intensity conflicts and asymmetric warfare.
Piranha I 8X8 D was a Swiss experimental model. It had a new turret with a 30 mm automatic gun and also a remote-controlled turret with machine guns in the rear. It was built in 1976 but seemed to be unsuccessful for unknown reasons (possibly - because it was too complicated and cost much).
Switzerland purchased 64 Staghounds from Britain in the 1950s. Some of those in Swiss army service were re-armed with 20 mm guns. Five of these Staghounds were turned over to the local K+W ordnance firm to examine more extensive rearmament packages including 47 mm and 90 mm gun upgrades, but these projects did not proceed beyond trials.
In the end of 1950s MOWAG produced MR 8 (also known as Wotan) APC in different variants: with autocannons, ATGM or 75 mm / 90 mm guns. MR 8 was built on chassis of MOWAG GW4500 truck (from 1955) and used steering of both axles. Gunned versions didn't go further than prototypes.
MR 8-90 was built in 1964 and armed with 90 mm recoilless gun Pak 55. It had a hydraulic gun carriage with a shield which raised during fire and descended to reload the gun.
In the end of 1950s MOWAG produced MR 8 (also known as Wotan) APC in different variants: with autocannons, ATGM or 75 mm / 90 mm guns. MR 8 was built on chassis of MOWAG GW4500 truck (from 1955) and used steering of both axles. Gunned versions didn't go further than prototypes.
MR 8-90 was built in 1964 and armed with 90 mm recoilless gun Pak 55. It had a hydraulic gun carriage with a shield which raised during fire and descended to reload the gun.
MOWAG Pirat with an improved turret. Only one prototype was built.
Originally planned for Lithuania as LTL, LTL-H was offered to Swiss by Praga as per their requirements. Further evaluations led to development of LTH, which later entered the Swiss service as Panzer 39.
For Lithuania LTL was to mount either 20 mm Oerlikon autocanon or a 37 mm gun.
Only one prototype of LTL was built in april 1948 as both Lithuania and Switzerland had further specified their requirements, evetualy leading to LTH which entered service as Panzerwagen 39, and LTL for Lithuania (now based off LTH) which were built, but never delivered (USSR happpened to Lithuania before that) and eventualy ended up as LT-40s in fascist Slovakia.
Almost the same as in the French branch, but with a weaker gun
Switzerland as many other countries before the WW2 interned 12 R-35's that crossed the French border in June 1940.
The Saurer Tartaruga (Turtle) was a prototype of an armored personnel carrier from the Adolph Saurer AG. The Saurer Tartaruga was built in 1959. Together with the Mowag Pirat it was tested by the Swiss Army. But unexpectedly the Swiss Army decided to buy the American M113. A prototype is now in the Thun tank museum. Also there was a projected version armed with 75 mm tank gun.
Switzerland received the Tiger II with the Henschel turret in 1945/46 as well as other german tanks and trialed them. It is currently getting restored to working order.
The swiss army obtained AMX 13-75s in 1951 and called them Leichter Panzer 51.
Much less known project of rearming MOWAG Pirat with a 105 mm gun. Unlike the basic Pirat this is a casemate TD. I suppose that it was declined because of overweighting the chassis with too heavy gun.
Similar to the Laupen 16t, this version however had a completely indigenous hull planned unlike the 16t, which was based on the G-13.
The Laupen tanks are two light tank projects which have been found at the Swiss National Archives, dating from 1950. These designs were meant to be able to defeat the Soviet IS-3 heavy tank which had shocked the western world in 1945, while still being light enough to be able to traverse the hilly landscape of Switzerland. At that time, the best tank the Swiss had was the Panzer 39, a version of the pre-war Panzer 38(t). This tank was clearly obsolete, and the Laupens were meant to replace it. Just as importantly, the AMX 13 was being developed in France. Simply buying this light tank from abroad would have arguably been less expensive than putting a tank industry up from scratch. In the end, the Swiss bought the AMX 13 and the G-13 remained in service as it was. The Laupens faded into history, quietly forgotten on a shelf in the archives.
To simplify, this is the ingame HWK 12 but with 20 mm autocanon.
Two prototypes of HWK 13 were built in 1963. They were supposed for export. Mexican army was about to order 40 such AFVs, but refused after the presentation of these two vehicles.
Swiss proposal for up armoring the swedish lansen light tank. Variante C featured the biggest improvement in the armor and would have added a lot of weight. Thus another engine and suspension were suggested.
An experimental anti-aircraft vehicle based on Panzer 51 (AMX-13) chassis possibly built in Switzerland for the French army. Very little info is known - seems like the tank was unsuccessful.
It’s an AMX 13 Testbed with the Panzer 61’s main gun (L7 clone). It didn't proceed further than the project stage.
Early variant of the NK I without the gun encasement.
Panzer 61 modernized to Panzer 68 standards.
10.5cm Hb.35 L/42 SPG project on the NK I. While Ausf. 1 being the TD version with a closed gun encasement and the Ausf. 2 being the open topped artillery version. Built in 1946, never entered mass production.
After the war Switzerland planned to build a 10.5 cm SPG project on the chassis of the G-13. Most armor would have been removed in the process.
Project for 15cm howitzer on AMX-13 (Panzer 51) hull from 1958. Never built.
Built in france, 4 prototype vehicles were bought for testing in 1959. Tests were discontinued in 1964 and the vehicles never saw mass production.
According to sources at WG, this after-war project could have different suspension types, both tracked and wheeled. Overally not a lot is known, all we know is that it does mount a 105 mm gun in a half-opened turret.
Initial project of the Panzerkanone 68. The idea was to take a Panzer 58 chassis and moutn a 15cm Kanone 42/46 in a turret; never built.
Built on either a modified Panzer 61 or Panzer 68 chassis. Only 4 prototypes were built. It was discontinued due to technical difficulties.
Built in 1968 on either a modified Panzer 61 or Panzer 68 chassis. Only 4 prototypes were built. It was discontinued due to technical difficulties.
The swiss army bought 6 Vickers-Armstrong Light Tanks Models 1933/34 for testing purposes. Vehicles left service in 1948.
The swiss army bought 6 Vickers-Armstrong Light Tanks Models 1933/34 for testing purposes. Mounting 47mm infantry gun was proposed for the vehicle. Vehicles left service in 1948. If the gun was to be mounted in the real tank, there would have been a couple of minor changes in the turret like seats for the loader and commander (who also doubled as a gunner), a hatch in the rear of the turret and a mount for the gun itself.
Serial Panzer 39 is on the left and the "Neuer Turm" (new turret) is on the right
Panzer 39 is a modified version of LTL-H. It's got a new 24mm gun and some other light improvements. The first tanks came to Switzerland in 1939. They served until 1950. In 1946 there was a prototype with upgraded turret and new gun (47 mm), but still it was declined.
The Panzer 39L is an elongated Panzer 39 with an additional pair of roadwheels, mounting a 34mm AA gun. Designed in 1941.
Same as with the Panzer 39L this is an upgraded Panzer 39 chassis and is thought to be a successor to the 39L. It does get more armor than the 39L and additionally it also receives Sideskirts. It gets a completely new turret with decent (up to 75mm of Turret) armor excluding the gun mantle. It was to be equipped with a 7.5 cm Gun L/43 or additionally a 10.5cm Howitzer.
In 1970, Swiss company MOWAG (well known for some interesting designs) designed their own Leichter Panzer with an off-centre engine at the front right hand side and front transmission. Formal name in not known at this time.
A project of Hispano-Suiza in Switzerland to meet the demands for a light tank with good mobility and firepower. Prototyped in 1956. The design of this vehicle was later improved and amended to become the H.S.30.
This tank destroyer was built on the multipurpose HS 30 hull, developed in Switzerland by Hispano-Suiza. Several vehicles utilizing this hull were in West-German service - amongst them being the Schützenpanzer-lang IFV as well as self-propelled mortars, tank destroyers and other light vehicles. It was constructed in 1958, but this particular vehicle was not accepted in service neither in Germany nor in Switzterland. Another project, the Kanonenjagdpanzer HS 30 with the gun installed directly in frontal plate was also not successful - the Bundeswehr adopted the Raketenjagdpanzer I (also built on the HS 30 chassis) instead. The Germans didn't scratch the cannon-armed tank destroyer idea completely, but they built it on another chassis.
First tested in 1957, several prototypes built.
In the 1950′s, the MOWAG company was founded by the inimitable Walter Ruf and started designing a variety of wheeled and tracked vehicles for military and civilian use. Early in the 1950′s, they were testing the MOWAG Pirat, which was a fully enclosed rear turretted tank destroyer, fitted with a powerful 90mm MECAR gun. Later modifications included smoke dischargers and a commander’s cupola added to the turret, two extra return rollers and some automotive changes, which can be seen with the relocation of the exhaust pipe and air vents. This TD is not known to have been adopted.
This Tank which had one Prototype built, was originally meant as an AA Vehicle. It was also planned to be fitted with other Weaponry like a 90mm Gun if the Trials on the AA Prototype were successful. It handles much like the Pirat and the HS-30, but it’s even lighter (11.3 Tons with a 240 bhp Engine) and at the same time being larger than the Pirat. Only a mockup was built in 1955.
Lightweight version of Laupen 30t.
Based on the Laupen 30ton Medium Tank concept from 1950 by the Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätte. This is essentially a Light Tank version of the Medium Tank.
Medium/heavy tank based on the chassis on the Nahkampfkanone II.
Tank Project for a 16 ton Tank intended to fight against the Soviet IS-3, Based on the G-13 Tank destroyer.
The Laupen tanks are two light tank projects which have been found at the Swiss National Archives, dating from 1950. These designs were meant to be able to defeat the Soviet IS-3 heavy tank which had shocked the western world in 1945, while still being light enough to be able to traverse the hilly landscape of Switzerland. At that time, the best tank the Swiss had was the Panzer 39, a version of the pre-war Panzer 38(t). This tank was clearly obsolete, and the Laupens were meant to replace it. Just as importantly, the AMX 13 was being developed in France. Simply buying this light tank from abroad would have arguably been less expensive than putting a tank industry up from scratch. In the end, the Swiss bought the AMX 13 and the G-13 remained in service as it was. The Laupens faded into history, quietly forgotten on a shelf in the archives.
Switzerlands first attempt at building a 30 ton medium tank in 1952, 1 mockup and one prototype were built.
After World War II, Switzerland was only equipped with outdated fighting vehicles of foreign production such as the Hetzer. Switzerland sought to purchase new armored fighting vehicles but was unable to do so due to other nations' involvement in the Korean War. Thus, in 1953 funding was allocated for the development of a domestic medium tank. The first prototype was completed by Eidgenoessische Konstruktionswerkstaette in 1957 and was designated as Panzer 58. The main armament of the first prototype was a domestic 90 mm cannon. A second prototype was equipped with a British Ordnance QF 20 pounder. Another ten tanks armed with the 105 mm cannon were manufactured from 1960-1961.
Further development of KW 30/52, with rounded armor due to the influence of the American M48 Patton. It was later renamed to Panzer 58.
It is the first ever mass produced Tank in Switzerland. Further improvements on Panzer 58 was made which lead to the Panzer 61 such as a better engine, a new Turret design and some other changes to the exterior and interior. It served till the early 1990s.
Modernisation of the Panzer 61, aside from a more powerful engine and rubber pads on the tracks, not a lot has changed.
Based on an experimental chassis on the Panzer 58 with a 750hp Maybach engine and the Renk transmission, one of the drivetrain options for Panzer 74.
Panzer 68 Lamborghini is a planned modification on the Panzer 68 which included a new turret and overall better protection. It got the name “Lamborghini” due to its sleek shape.
Switzerland has tried to upgrade their Centurion medium tanks multiple times, such as mounting a more powerful Maybach diesel engine.
Another Upgrade made by switzerland to their centurions: this time it would have the drivetrain of the Panzer 74 (VFZ 69) which consisted of the Renk transmission as well as a 1100 hp Maybach MTU MB 837 engine.
Swiss proposal for up armoring the swedish lansen light tank.
Due to the armor of the KW 30 being to poor, it was suggested to increase its weight by 10-15 tons and increase its armor.
40-45 ton version of KW 30. Due to the KW 30 having very poor armor with the proposed weight of 30 tons, it was suggested that KW 30 would have been uparmored to get a similar amor thickness as the M48 patton, so around 170mm Turret armor and around 110mm- 120mm hull armor frontally and around 75mm side armor. The reason why this never happened is because of the swiss designers figuring out rounded armor around 2-3 years later thanks to the american Patton tanks.
The first design of what would become the KW 30. While being rather light, it’s frontal protection would have been outstanding.
Designed in 1969, the project itself was called Panzer 74. This vehicle features a smaller turret than the other variants.
The Swiss Panzer 74 was a Main Battle Tank Project started in 1969. It was meant as an upgrade to the Panzer 68 tank then in service with the Swiss army, as it had begun to be regarded as underarmored for its time. New, better protected and better armed main battle tanks were entering service, tanks like the Soviet T-64, the British Chieftain and the American M60 Patton. Between the 1950’s and 1980’s, the Swiss military philosophy called for Main Battle Tanks with good mobility, without sacrificing too much in terms of firepower and protection. The Panzer 68 was the latest vehicle in the Swiss tank lineage, being derived from the previous Panzer 61 and the little-produced Panzer 58. However, recently introduced designs made the Panzer 68’s armor seem obsolete. While the Panzer 74 presents itself as a capable vehicle which would have improved Switzerland’s armored capabilities, it never went past the design phase. The main reason for this was likely that it would have been too expensive and the Swiss politicians realized that building a completely new tank wasn’t worth it, as Switzerland was not in any grave danger. The Panzer 68 was viewed as sufficient and it stayed in service with various upgrades until 2003.
Featuring a larger turret and an automated loading system.
The Swiss Panzer 74 was a Main Battle Tank Project started in 1969. It was meant as an upgrade to the Panzer 68 tank then in service with the Swiss army, as it had begun to be regarded as underarmored for its time. New, better protected and better armed main battle tanks were entering service, tanks like the Soviet T-64, the British Chieftain and the American M60 Patton. Between the 1950’s and 1980’s, the Swiss military philosophy called for Main Battle Tanks with good mobility, without sacrificing too much in terms of firepower and protection. The Panzer 68 was the latest vehicle in the Swiss tank lineage, being derived from the previous Panzer 61 and the little-produced Panzer 58. However, recently introduced designs made the Panzer 68’s armor seem obsolete. While the Panzer 74 presents itself as a capable vehicle which would have improved Switzerland’s armored capabilities, it never went past the design phase. The main reason for this was likely that it would have been too expensive and the Swiss politicians realized that building a completely new tank wasn’t worth it, as Switzerland was not in any grave danger. The Panzer 68 was viewed as sufficient and it stayed in service with various upgrades until 2003.
Early version of NK I, being an AA SPG. It uses prolonged Panzer 39 chassis as well. Archive documents say that it's even been built. Different canons were proposed: 34mm (the priority gun for the project) , 47mm and a 75mm howitzer.
Early version of NK I, being an AA SPG. It uses prolonged Panzer 39 chassis as well. Archive documents say that it's even been built. Different canons were proposed: 34mm (the priority gun for the project) , 47mm and a 75mm howitzer.
The designed heralded from early experiments made between 1943 and 1944 in Switzerland in the design and construction of an armoured vehicle. The Nahkampf cannon 1 was built onto the chassis of the armoured car Panzerwagen 39, Panzer 38(t) type LTL-H CSSR armoured fighting vehicle. The chassis was extended by a roller produced by the company Berna in Olten. Since only a few parts were available, it was partially constructed using parts of armoured cars, mainly the chassis and transmissions. The armour consisted of only thin sheet metal and, in initial experiments, only a 75-millimeter cannon was installed. The prototype was used by the Swiss Army with the car plate (M + number 7236).
G-13 tank destroyer bought from Czechoslovakia recieved some upguning proposals.
G-13 is a post war version of the Jagdpanzer 38 built for Switzerland, armed with a StuK 40 gun. There also was a G-13 version that would have the same gun as the AMX 13 75. Whether it had an autoloader or if it was loaded by hand is not known.
Tank destroyer built in 1946. It was mounted with various real and mockup guns during it’s lifetime. It can be found at the Panzermuseum Thun in Bern.
The hull and the superstructure were made of cast steel by the Georg Fischer AG. The construction of the chassis was by Saurer in Arbon, the assembly of the chassis at Berna in Olten and the design and installation of the gun of the K + W in Thun. Driver, commander and the horizontal gunner sat side left, right vertical gunner and loader. The gun was mounted in a hull based superstructure and had only a limited traverse arc, so the entire vehicle had to turned onto the target before the gun itself could be aimed. The gun barrel could be retracted for travel. Four different types were planned, but one prototype was made and that did not see service; only driving tests were made in Thun from 1946 to 1947 for testing in troop deployment. Development was stopped in 1947.
Same as Nahkampfkanone II, however II B would have a layer of 15mm spaced armor all over it’s frontal armor which was actually a real proposal back in 1946 in order to make the shape of the vehicle more even.
This vehicle basically uses the hull and layout of the German Jagdpanzer Kanone and is listed under several names – it was called the HM-13, Gepard and Cheetah. MOWAG called it the Gepard, although the prototype was known for a while as the HM-13. Some sources state that the first Jagdpanzer Kanone were built in Switzerland and then sent to Germany, others that the Gepard was licence-built, it is not clear whether the Swiss version used this extra driver position. The first of such vehicles in Switzerland were built in the period between 1960 and 1962.
Kanonenjagdpanzer version designed by MOWAG engineer Walter Ruf. It’s more or less the same as HM-13, aside from the fact that it does have two drivers, one in the front and one in the rear. It had the intention to drive backwards just as fast as it could forwards.
By the mid to late 1970′s, work continued at MOWAG on a new tank destroyer using the Taifun Mk.I chassis, which was used for a wide variety of spin-off vehicles of all classes, of which the best known is this vehicle called the Taifun. It featured a modular gun system and had very good mobility. Only one built. It has been scrapped.
By 1957, MOWAG company was offering a small light tank destroyer under the name “Skorpion”, fitted with a 57mm AT gun and later modified to carry a 90mm gun. Neither of these projects was liked very much or accepted in service, although the gun and the mount found their use later on a variety of wheeled vehicles. By 1960 or so, the name has changed to ‘Pirat’ and various changes were made to the vehicle, even thought it remained open-topped and still carried the powerful 90mm MECAR gun.
Laupen 30t armed with 9 cm guns.
The design of the Panzer 58 started back in 1950 when the Swiss government quickly noticed that the AMX 13s that they had ordered were insufficient and that they needed a medium tank as well. The political situation all over the globe meant that getting a foreign medium tank would have been difficult, which meant that designing their own tank was necessary. As a result, they designed a 30ton Tank which was the great grandfather of the Panzer 58. This 30t Panzer design though never left this stage of development and was subjected to refinement until it became the KW30/52 which is the first official KW30 design.
Laupen 30t armed with 10.5 cm guns.
The design of the Panzer 58 started back in 1950 when the Swiss government quickly noticed that the AMX 13s that they had ordered were insufficient and that they needed a medium tank as well. The political situation all over the globe meant that getting a foreign medium tank would have been difficult, which meant that designing their own tank was necessary. As a result, they designed a 30ton Tank which was the great grandfather of the Panzer 58. This 30t Panzer design though never left this stage of development and was subjected to refinement until it became the KW30/52 which is the first official KW30 design.
Early stage of the NKPz tank development
The NKPz or Neuer Kampfpanzer was developed by Contraves in the mid 1970s to meet a Swiss Army requirement for a new main battle tank. The new MBT was intended to replace an ageing fleet of 320 Centurions, used by the Swiss Army. The NKPz was a very advanced MBT design at that time. However in the early 1980s Swiss government decided to build German Leopard 2 main battle tanks under license. These tanks were 15%-30% cheaper comparing with the NKPz, but also inferior. Layout of the NKPz was similar to Israeli Merkava. This main battle tank had a wedge-shaped hull and a front-mounted engine for better protection. The rear part of the hull was intended for ammunition storage.
Early stage of the NKPz tank development - with 105 mm L7 gun.
The NKPz or Neuer Kampfpanzer was developed by Contraves in the mid 1970s to meet a Swiss Army requirement for a new main battle tank. The new MBT was intended to replace an ageing fleet of 320 Centurions, used by the Swiss Army. The NKPz was a very advanced MBT design at that time. However in the early 1980s Swiss government decided to build German Leopard 2 main battle tanks under license. These tanks were 15%-30% cheaper comparing with the NKPz, but also inferior. Layout of the NKPz was similar to Israeli Merkava. This main battle tank had a wedge-shaped hull and a front-mounted engine for better protection. The rear part of the hull was intended for ammunition storage.
Actually nothing is known about the Chansard tank series, but they mostly seem to be NKPz early stages of development.
Actually nothing is known about the Chansard tank series, but they mostly seem to be NKPz early stages of development.
Actually nothing is known about the Chansard tank series, but they mostly seem to be NKPz early stages of development.
Actually nothing is known about the Chansard tank series, but they mostly seem to be NKPz early stages of development.
Flakpanzer A.14 was a light anti-aircraft vehicle built in 1955 based on HS 30 AFV - when the Swiss Army needed modern AA forces. A.14 was designed in two versions: with double 30 mm guns (this one) and double 20 mm in a bit changed turret. It was overally fine, but had problems aiming jet planes - actually, even aiming in their direction because it didn't have a radar search system, which was a serious problem. Thus the vehicle was abandonned - waiting for the next more successful swiss AA machine.