Armasuisse to get Mortar 16 units from 2024
The Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) in Switzerland has reported that the procurement agency Armasuisse has completed testing of the 12cm Mortar 16.
Testing was carried out at a weapons site near Biere in March 2020 and the mortar system has met the necessary requirements for use in the Swiss Army.
The DDPS will now move to negotiate and sign new contracts for the 12cm Mortar 16 (pictured), with the initial handover to army units expected from 2024.
The Swiss Federal Parliament approved the project to develop the Mortar 16 in 2016. The scheme also includes 32 mortar systems (carrier vehicle and mortar gun), 12 trucks, ammunition, logistics materiel and the modification of 16 existing vehicles, such as the Piranha IV 8x8 APC made by GDELS-Mowag and the Cobra weapon system produced by Ruag Switzerland.
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