Elbit Signs Contract for ORCWS APC Turrets on Belgian APCs
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Elbit Systems and General Dynamics’ MOWAG subsidiary have signed a contract valued at EUR 44.8 Million (currently about $58 Million) to equip Belgium’s initial set of 138 Piranha III wheeled armored personnel carriers (similar to the Stryker /LAV-III base platform). The ORCWS-30 Overhead Remote Control Weapon Station shares a number of features with the RAFAEL RCWS-30 mounted on Czech Pandurs, including stabilization for firing on the move, missile options, and fold-flat features for air transport; but it isn’t the same system.
Other media reports confirm the contract amount and place the delivery dates at 2007-2012, but are unclear re: specific systems or numbers. A full vehicle type breakdown can be found in DID’s February 2006 in-depth coverage of the Belgian Piranha III deal.
UPDATE: DID has talked to MOWAG. This Elbit Systems order covers only 32 ORCWS-30s for the Piranha III C30s, plus electro-optical systems (i.e. thermal sights et, al.) and electronics for the entire Belgian Piranha III fleet.
