RUAG Cobra

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RUAG Cobra


The RUAG Cobra in a sharp shot

General Information
Military designation: 12 cm mortar 16
Manufacturer designation: RUAG Cobra
Manufacturer country: Switzerland
Developer / Manufacturer: RUAG , SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland 
Weapon Category: mortar
Technical specifications
Caliber :

12.0 cm

RUAG Cobra is a 120 mm mortar system that was introduced by the Swiss company RUAG in early 2015 . It can be integrated into different platforms and shoot using the MRSI method ( multiple rounds simultaneous impact , in German for example: multiple shots, simultaneous impact - through previously calculated trajectories of different lengths). The straightening of the smooth-barreled mortar is not hydraulic , in contrast to the previous Bighorn projectbut electric. The automated loading device can optionally be omitted. RUAG started developing the mortar in 2012 at its own expense and at the time it was introduced, it did not have a customer for the system.

After the Swiss Army decommissioned the mine launcher tank 64/91 in 2009, the Cobra was procured as a new system with the 2016 armaments program. Procurement by the Swiss Army was controversial in parliament both in the Council of States and in the National Council by the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland , but corresponding requests to reduce or cancel procurement were rejected by the parliamentary majority in both chambers. The procurement costs, selection procedures and delays were criticized. The requirements of the army were adjusted several times during the procurement to the possibilities of RUAG.

32 pieces will be bought under the designation 12 cm mortar 16 and put into service in the period from 2018 to 2022. 8 × 8 Mowag Piranha IV are used as carrier vehicles. Four batteries are formed with the desired number of mortars .

Technical specifications

  • Caliber: 120 mm
  • Combat weight: 1350 kg (with loading device)
  • Pipe length: 1.60 / 2.00 m
  • Elevation range: k. A.
  • Side straightening range: 360 °
  • Range: 7 to 9 km
  • Fire opening time: <60 seconds
  • Time to change position: k. A.

Web links

Commons : RUAG Cobra  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Andrew Chuter: Ruag Uncoils Cobra Mortar System In: DefenseNews of February 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ 'Shoot and scoot' weapon In: Janes.com from February 25, 2015, accessed July 31, 2016.
  3. ↑ Aargauer Zeitung : VBS plans an additional armaments program for 1.1 billion , accessed on October 24, 2015
  4. ↑ DDPS : Council of States supports armaments program and real estate message ( Memento of the original dated December 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed November 28, 2016 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.vbs.admin.ch
  5. ↑ DDPS: Parliament approves armaments program and real estate program ( memento of December 3, 2016 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on November 28, 2016
  6. ↑ Financial control criticizes procedures for the procurement of new mortars , swissinfo, June 24, 2020
  7. ↑ Army Message 2016 ( Memento from July 1, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  8. ↑ Here Federal Councilor Parmelin inspects the new army material
  9. ↑ Army Message 2016 Federal Council media conference on February 25, 2016 (video, there time period 7:10 to 8:00)
  10. ↑ 1.34 billion for mortars, bazookas & Co .: This is the army's shopping list in 2016
  11. ↑ Future of Artillery , 2016, p. 22.