The Eagle II was developed to take into account the changes wanted by the Swiss Army for the second batch of armoured reconnaissance vehicle it needed. It uses a different chassis and running gear, the one of the Humvee ECV, but all the equipment is the same as for the Swiss Eagle I.
Eagle III
The Eagle III also uses the chassis and running gear of the Humvee ECV. The Swiss Army was looking for a mobile artillery observer vehicle. The difference is in the cabin that is designed to offer a good visibility to the artillery observers. The electronic equipment was also adapted to the mission, using the INTAFF commanding system of the Swiss Army artillery, and an observation mast (containing CCD-TV, IR, and a laser range finder).[3][4]
Eagle IV
The Eagle IV is based on the chassis of the Mowag Duro IIIP. It was introduced commercially in November 2003, and received its IOC (initial operational capability) in 2004 with the Danish Army.[5][6] It was later purchased by the German Army as one of its main armoured mobility vehicle.
The armoured cabin has a protection STANAG 4569 level III
The anti-mine protection reaches the STANAG 4569 Level IIa standard [7]
Two Eagle IV in combat configurations are transportable by the C-130 Hercules.
It's combat weight reaches 7,600 kg including 2,400 of payload and high level protection meeting STANAG 4569 level III protection and STANAG 4569 Level IIa mine protection (6 kg TNT under each wheel). The vehicle's width is smaller than the Humvee, which allows two ready to combat Eagle IVs to be transported in a C-130 without special preparations.[8] Up to 2023, it is the most successful variant commercially (587 vehicles).
Eagle V
The Eagle V is the current version. There are two main variants, a 4×4 and a 6×6. The Eagle V 4×4 has 80% of its parts in common with the Eagle IV, which was a requirement of the German Army.
Prototypes and known variants in development
Based on the Eagle IV
GTV JLTV Eagle (General Tactical Vehicle JLTV): This prototype is based on the Eagle IV 4×4. GDLS offered this vehicle in the JLTV program that intended to replace the Humvee in the US Armed Forces.[9] A RFP for the TD phase was released in February 2008; the proposals by the industry were received by April 2008. In October 2008, the Pentagon selected three of the other competitors for the EMD phase (Engineering and Manufacturing Development).[10]Oshkosh won the competition with the L-ATV in August 2015.[11] This vehicle never entered service.
Eagle IV SOF: The Danish Forsvaret (special forces unit) modified an Eagle by removing the doors. It first appeared in 2008. An opening in the roof was made for access to the machine gun. some additional equipment were added, such as rolled camouflage nets that are there to quickly hide the vehicle and protect it from IR emissions. It was designed to replace the Humvee Jülkat.
Eagle SOF (Special Operation Forces):[12] This prototype was presented by GDELS Mowag at the armament fair Eurosatory 2022. The design is focused on providing a vehicle as robust, durable and mobile as possible. It has an open roof, and can be equipped with various modular kits of armament and protection.[13]
Führungsfahrzeug Kat. 3Mowag and the Swiss army are developing this command vehicle in order to replace the older M113A1Kommandopanzer 63/07.
IRIS-T SLS Mk III[15]Diehl Defence and Hensoldt presented a prototype for an air defence system based on the Eagle V 6×6 at DSEI 2021. It is one of the answer resulting from the NNbS working group on the short and very short air defence needs of the Bundeswehr. The IRIS-T SLS Mk III intends to be a short range defence system against targets such as helicopters, UAVs, aircraft and missiles. Although the missiles are installed in a slanted position, as they have a lock-on after launch capability, it can reach a target at 360°. The system is designed to engage targets in movement, with the goal of providing an air defence coverage to an assault force. It is a fully independent system that can be connected to a command-and-control system for air-defence.
2 IRIS-T SLS missiles able to reach a target flying at 8 km of altitude, or at a maximum range of 12 km[16]
Hensoldt supplies the Spexer lightweight, low power X-bandradar system mounted on a mast extendable by 4.7m
156 Aufklärungsfahrzeug 93 (light armoured reconnaissance vehicle). These vehicles were ordered and financed in 1993 for CHF 105 million, delivery from 1995, equipped with a 7.5mm Pz Mg 51/71 machine gun and fitted with thermal imaging and radio equipment.[17][18] These vehicles were retired in 2020 and remain in reserve.[19]
36 Spejdervogn M/95 (scout vehicle). Purchased in 1994, delivered in 1995-1997, 27 of which were sold to FWW Fahrzeugwerke, a German private company; sale approved by the Swiss government in April 2013.[6][20]
1 Eagle I was seen on Social Media on the 18th of March 2023 in the city of Avdiivka (near Donetsk). Following an investigation by the Swiss authorities, it was discovered that those Mowag Eagle were the former Danish ones that were sold in 2013 to FWW Fahrzeugwerke, a German company owned by GDELS.[21] FWW Fahrzeugwerk exported the Eagle to Ukraine with approval from the German government, but the sale violates the interdiction to export Swiss weapons to countries at war, and it was done so without the approval of the Swiss government. [22][23]
175 Aufklärungsfahrzeug 93/97 (light armoured reconnaissance vehicle). Order in 1997, delivery in 1999 - 2001, equipped with a 7.5mm Pz Mg 51/71 machine gun and fitted with thermal imaging and radio equipment. All but 2 lost in accidents remain in service as of 2023.[18][24] New chassis and new engine, increasing its performance compared to the 93 variant, and equipped with a more powerful radio.
120 Eagle III (SKdt Fz INTAFF gl 4×4, mobile artillery observer vehicles). Acquired in 2003, with substantial improvements made to communications and surveillance equipment (yet lacking the machine gun of previous versions). The cost to purchase the vehicle amounted to CHF 166 million.[25]
Eagle IV selected in 2008 as part of the GFF Klasse 2 tender.[27]
42 EAGLE BAT (Protected Ambulance Vehicle)
20 ordered urgently in 2009, delivered in 2011 [28]
22 ordered in 2011
453 EAGLE GFF2 (Patrol Security Vehicles and Utility Vehicles for Command Staff) Urgent order of a first batch of 25 in July 2008 for a patrol vehicle for the ISAF operation. Three additional batches of GFF2 vehicles followed (173, 60 and 95).[29] The vehicles are all equipped with RCWSKMW FLW100/200. The detailed variants in use in the German Army are:
176 4×4 EAGLE GFF2(Patrol Security Vehicles and Utility Vehicles for Command Staff) Order in May 2013 as part of the GFF2 program for almost €110 million [37][38]
80 6×6 mgSanKfz (Protected Ambulance Vehicle)[39] Order in March 2020, deliveries from July 2023 to December 2024 for €148 million [40][41] 16.6 t in this variant, 225 kW 306 ps,
4 6×6 PAV (Protected Ambulance Vehicle) Order in 2021[42]
80 4×4 CLRV (command, liaison and reconnaissance vehicle)s (CLRV) Order in September 2022 by the NSPA for the Luxembourg Army, delivery from December 2024 to July 2026, replacement of the Humvee and the ATF Dingo. The mission equipment will be common to the French and Belgian VBMR Griffon. It will be fitted with the RWS deFNder Medium from FN Herstal, the information and combat system Scorpion (SICS from ATOS), the CONTACT radio system SDR from Thales and the anti-ied jammer BARAGE from Thales Belgium. The RCWS is equipped with a M2 machine gun, EO/IR sensors, and a 6-smoke grenades launcher.[43] The acquisition cost is €226.6 million. The acquisition and the life cycle cost of the vehicle and the systems fitted, including the logistics for 15–20 years has a cost cap of €367 million.[44]The deliveries started in 2024.[45]
The tender process for the new Patrol Vehicle "Patruljekøretøjer program" began in 2015. Five vehicles were pre-selected, the Ocelot / Foxhoud, Nexter Aravis, Otokar Cobra 2, OshkoshM-ATV / L-ATV, but only the Ocelot ended up competing against the Eagle V. This program resulted in the purchase of:
36 Multirole armoured vehicle Order in May 2017, deliveries in 2018–19.[46][47] According to public records from the Danish Parliament, the acquisition cost DKK 233.6 million (approx. USD 35 million for the 36 vehicles), it includes all the equipment its (driving cameras, radios, weapons mounts). The sustainment of those vehicles over 15 years is estimated to be DKK 116.1 million (approx. USD 17.3 million).[48] Variants in use in the Danish Army:
100 6×6 Aufklärungssystem TASYS (reconnaissance / intelligence vehicle) Order in December 2019,[51] deliveries from mid 2023 to end 2025. 89 vehicles will equip 89 reconnaissance, scout and firing commander platoons that exist today. The remaining 11 will be used for training and as circulation reserve.[52]
It was ordered in 2011 to be used in Afghanistan. The vehicles came back from deployment in 2015, and since then have replaced the Sonderwagen SW4 Thyssen TM in their use to protect airports.
The Mowag Eagle is being proposed by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for the "Next Generation Fighting Vehicle programme" as the optimal solution.[55] It has been tested in 2019, but the programme is being delayed.[56]
Close-in Protection Vehicle (CPV):[57] Eagle V 4×4 equipped with a remote weapon station that would protect ground troops from low altitude UAV and loitering munitions. One variant of the CPV that was also mentioned would accompagny the IRIS-T SLS MkIII, providing coverage from small UAV and from enemy ground troops.As part of this SHORAD needs,for complementary vehicles.
SHORAD Command Control & Liaison (CCL):[57] Eagle V 6×6 that would coordinate the SHORAD and VSHORAD squads
Project Land 121 Phase 4 – PMV-L: This project intended to replace the Land Rover Perentie by a protected mobility vehicle- light. The competition included some of the JLTV competitors against vehicles manufactured and supported in Australia. GDLS-Australia offered the combat-proven Eagle V, the British Ocelot was another option, and Thales Australia offered the Hawkei which was developed in Australia.[64] The Hawkei won the competition.[65]
CLV Programme (Command and Liaison Vehicles) - replacement of the Iveco LMV (Lynx):
The Eagle V lost to the JLTV in 2020. 322 vehicles planned, the other competitors were the Hawkei (Thales Australia), the URO VAMTAC and a vehicle from KMW. [66]
Pegaz Programme: The Eagle V was part of the competitors for the new multi-purpose vehicle that intends to be used by the Special Operations Forces, Military Police and, in a longer run, by the land component in general. The first phase intended to participate in missions such as patrol, intervention, counterterrorism and reconnaissance scenarios. [67] Four finalists were selected, the Fortress Mk2 (French), Thales Hawkei (Australia), Patriot II (Polish / Czech) and Tur V. In 2021, the programme was cancelled.[68]
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