By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
Tanks (205)
Infantry Fighting Vehicles (186)
Tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers (90)
Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers (930)
Reconnaissance Vehicles (228)
Military Engineering Vehicles And Equipment
Communications Stations (64)
Command Vehicles (310)
Self-Propelled Mortars (48 Systems On Order)
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns (48)
Static SAM Systems (5 Fire Units On Order)
It might come as a surprise to many that Switzerland continues to operate a significant number of armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), even in the aftermath of the Cold War and the seemingly remote possibility of facing an invasion from any (neighboring) nation. In spite of the decommissioning of most bunker systems and a considerable reduction in its air force, the Swiss Armed Forces are engaged in a continual process of modernising their capabilities. This involves both the acquisition of new equipment and the enhancing of existing AFVs through (limited) upgrade programmes.
An intriguing aspect is that, despite possessing a fleet of 30 F-18 and 18 F-5 fighter aircraft, the Swiss Armed Forces has been without an air-to-ground capability following the retirement of its last Hawker Hunters in 1994. In lieu of this capability, the Swiss Army has relied upon a significant number of M109 self-propelled guns to provide fire-support to ground units. With the introduction of the F-35A from 2027 onwards, Switzerland is set to regain a limited air-to-ground capability through the acquisition of a limited quantity of GBU-53 and GBU-54 guided bombs. [1]
The importance of ground-based fire support assets remains unquestionable within the Swiss Army. The force currently maintains an impressive fleet of 133 M109 KAWEST WE SPGs, underscoring the continued emphasis on this capability. Looking ahead, there are plans to replace the M109s with 155mm RCH-155s or Archers in the coming decade. Alongside the SPGs, the Swiss Army has ordered a total of 48 Piranha-V-based 120mm Mörser 16 self-propelled mortars (SPMs). The inventory of the Swiss Army does not include multiple rocket launchers (MRLs).
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Swiss Army swiftly increased its existing equipment orders. Notably, the order for the 120mm Mörser 16 SPM was expanded from 32 to 48. The acquisition of Piranha V-based Pionier Panzerfahrzeug 21 armoured engineering vehicles was increased from 60 to 84. Switzerland's acquisition of AFVs is marked
by an increasing preference for wheeled platforms over tracked ones, a choice that aligns well with the country's extensive and efficient road network. Nonetheless, the Swiss Army's 110 wheeled Panzerjäger 90 ''Piranha I TOW'' tank destroyers were decommissioned in 2022 without a direct replacement.
As iconic structures like the Festungskanone BISON and Centi Bunkers have become relics of the past, Switzerland has adopted a strategy prioritising swift force deployment across the country instead of relying on bunker systems. This transformation is evident in decisions such as the scrapping of nearly a thousand M113 APCs in favour of modern wheeled alternatives like the GMTF Duro IIIP. Whatever future steps will be taken to further enchance the Swiss Armed Forces' firepower and effectiveness, the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is likely to ensure a substantial Swiss Army for many decades to come, ensuring the country's readiness in an ever-changing global landscape.
This
list attempts to list all AFV types currently in service with the Swiss Armed Forces. This list only includes vehicles and equipment
currently confirmed as active, placed in operational reserve, or on order by the Swiss Armed Forces. Switzerland employs various abbreviations to denote upgrades and service life extensions for its military capabilities, including Combat Upgrade (KAWEST), Value Maintenance Programme (WE), and Extension of Use (NUV). Radars, (armoured) trucks and jeeps are not included in the list.
(Click on the vehicle or equipment type to get a picture of them)
Tanks (205)
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134 Panzer 87 WE![]()
71 Panzer 87 (In storage)
134 
Infantry Fighting Vehicles (186)
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186 CV9030CH (To be upgraded and kept in service until 2040)
186
Tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers (90)
50
Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers (930)
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513 Radschützenpanzer 93 Piranha IIC (Eight in service with the Militärpolizei)![]()
417 GMTF Duro IIIP
Infantry Mobility Vehicles (4+)
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4 Eagle V 4x4 EOR (Used by bomb disposal units)![]()
(?) LAPV Enok
Reconnaissance Vehicles (228)
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69 Eagle II 4x4 - Aufklärungsfahrzeug 93/97 (To be upgraded and kept in service until the early 2030s)![]()
59 Eagle III 4x4 - Fire-Control SKdt INTAFF (To be upgraded and kept in service until the early 2030s)![]()
100 Eagle V 6x6 - Aufklärungsfahrzeug TASYS (To enter service from 2023 onwards)
Light Strike Vehicles (10)
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10 AGF Serval LAUF (To be replaced)
Military Engineering Vehicles And Equipment
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25 Bergepanzer 3 'Büffel' Armoured Recovery Vehicle![]()
12 AEV 3 Kodiak Armoured Engineering Vehicle![]()
12 Panzerschnellbrücke Leguan Bridgelayer![]()
12 Minenräumpanzer 63/00 Mine-Clearing Vehicle![]()
84 Pionier Panzerfahrzeug 21 Armoured Engineering Vehicle (To enter service from 2023 onwards)![]()
Caterpillar 938G Armoured Earthmover![]()
40 Piranha Armoured Ambulance![]()
4 DURO IIIP Armoured Ambulance![]()
12 Duro IIIP CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle![]()
12 Piranha IIIC CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle![]()
48 Raupentransportwagen 68/05 ''M548'' Ammunition Transporter![]()
10 Schwimmbrücke 95/15 Motorised Floating Bridge![]()
16 Unterstützungsbrücke 46m Dry Support Bridge (DSB)
10 
16 Communications Stations (64)
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36 Piranha IIIC Radio Access Point (RAP) Panzer![]()
8 Piranha IIIC Kommunikations Panzer![]()
8 Piranha IIIC Mehrzwecksender Panzer![]()
12 Piranha IIIC KOMPAK Panzer
Command Vehicles (310)
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160 Piranha Armoured Command Vehicle![]()
6 Piranha IIIC Führungspanzer Armoured Command Vehicle![]()
6 Piranha IIIC Führungs FIS/HE INTAFF Panzer Armoured Command Vehicle![]()
50 Kommandopanzer 63/07 ''M113'' Armoured Command Vehicle![]()
35 Kommandopanzer Artillerie 63/97 ''M113'' Armoured Command Vehicle![]()
53 Feuerleitpanzer 63/97 ''M113'' Armoured Fire-Control Vehicle![]()
Eagle V 6x6 - Führungsfahrzeug (To be procured in the mid-2020s)
Self-Propelled Mortars (48 Systems On Order)
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48 120mm Mörser 16 (To enter service from 2024 onwards)
Self-Propelled Artillery (133)
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133 155mm M109 KAWEST WE (To be replaced from the early-2030s onwards)
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns (48)
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48 35mm Flab Kan 63/90 ''Oerlikon GDF'' (To be replaced)
Static SAM Systems (5 Fire Units On Order)
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5 MIM-104E Patriot PAC-3 Fire Units [Range: 70+km] (On order. Will replace the Rapier SAM system retired in 2022)
[1] Switzerland – F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft and Weapons https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/switzerland-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-aircraft-and-weapons