World’s first armored car
Austro-Daimler presents the world’s first armored car with all-wheel drive and an armed 360° turret. The “Panzerautomobil” developed by Paul Daimler houses a crew of up to five and one or two machine guns. After demonstrations to the Austro-Hungarian Army, it is declined. According to one anecdote, the conservative officers of the Empire complained about the vehicle terrifying their horses.
Foundation of Mowag
After his studies in Switzerland and the USA and a leading position with machinery and car manufacturer Saurer, engineer Walter Ruf transforms the Seitz factory to Mowag AG – short for Motorwagenfabrik AG (literally “Motorcar Factory Corp.”). During its first years, Mowag builds light trucks, buses, post vans, and fire engines.
Alligators in the Rhine
The GILLOIS remains but one of several amphibious vehicles designed at EWK. Most notably, an improved bridging and ferrying system is developed for the German Bundeswehr and the British Army of the Rhine. Almost 400 M2 ALLIGATOR are built during the 1960s and 70s. Lighter and more compact than their predecessor, without the need for the vulnerable rubber floats, the all-aluminum M2 can still carry the tracked vehicles of MLC 60-70 in service with the user nations.
A new generation of IFVs
The Austrian Ministry of Defense specifies its demands for the Army’s future infantry fighting vehicle or Kampfschützenpanzer 90. Four years later, Spain joins the program. With the cooperation agreement between Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch and Spanish ENASA, the Austrian-Spanish Cooperative Development (ASCOD) is born.
New PIRANHAs
After the big success of the PIRANHA I, the family of vehicles keeps evolving ever further. The PIRANHA II is procured in the wheeled IFV role by the Swiss Armed Forces. From 1996 on, the PIRANHA III is introduced. With high integrated mine protection and a gross weight of 18.5-22 tons in the 8x8 version, it soon sets a new international standard for wheeled armored vehicles.
GDELS is formed
General Dynamics Corporation acquires General Motors Defense. With this acquisition, GM’s Swiss subsidiary Mowag also becomes part of General Dynamics. In the same year, GD increases its share in Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug to 100%.
To bundle their expertise, create synergies, and better address customer needs, GD regroups its European subsidiaries: General Dynamics European Land Systems – or GDELS – enters the scene as a new major systems provider in the European defense market.
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