Sannsystems Grethe

Grethe Mobile Gun System
Place of origin	Sannlibo
Service history
In service	since 1993
Used by	Shenewa Sannlibo
Production history
Designer	Sannsystems AB — S²Armours
Designed	1989 - 1993
Manufacturer	Sannsystems AB — S²Armours
Produced	1992-2004. Spare parts still produced (Grethe 127) Since 2015 (Grethe 127M and 127M1)
No. built	750
Specifications (Grethe Mobile Gun System)
Weight	Up to 33,000kg
Length	Depending on Variant
Width	Depending on Variant
Height	Depending on Variant
Crew	4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader) 3 (commander, driver, gunner) on 123M
Main armament	K123/L48SG, 123mm/L48 smoothbore (39 rounds)
Secondary armament	2x 7.62 MGs
Engine	Hyger RV/K600D8 diesel engine 600kw (805hp)
Transmission	Hyger DWL18

The Sannsystems Grethe, also called Grethe Mobile Gun System, is an 8x8 wheeled mobile gun system, developed and manufactured by the sannlig state-owned military contractor Sannsystems AB, respectively its subdivision for amoured and land systems, S²Armours. It was developed for the Shenewan Imperial Army, who wanted a system able to keep up with Villhund II and Buffalo equipped formations but still able to bring large-calibre firepower to bear. Initially, two variants were to be procured, one equipped with a 90mm gun for use in reconnaissance regiments and one with a 123mm gun for use in tank destroyer regiments. However, a combination of budgetary constraints and a judgement that 90mm guns would not carry sufficient extra ammunition for their reduced capability to be offset led to all vehicles being procured with 123mm guns. At Shenewan request, the vehicle shared a number of parts with the Villhund II. Because of the similarities in its design, the development of the Grethe informed many decisions later made when designing the Villhund III, meaning it has a certain degree of commonality with both the Villhund II and Villhund III. The turret's design was largely based off and informed by the Løve's turret.

Specifications

Armour

The Grethe's baseline armour offers all-round protection against 14.5mm rounds and limited protection against 25mm rounds on the frontal arc. This protection can be increased to offer limited protection against 30mm rounds with add-on armour.

Armament

The Grethe uses a 123mm gun, whose design informed many of the choices made when integrating it onto the Løve 2 family of tanks. It can carry 39 rounds for this gun, 12 ready in the turret and 27 in the hull. It is able to fire all natures of ammunition used in Sannlig tanks, although due to its being a smoothbore gun rather than rifled, the performance of rounds is not equal between the two.

The Grethe also carries two 7.62 GPMGs, one coaxial and the other pintle mounted. The vehicle can carry up 4,000 rounds of 7.62 ammunition.

Grethe on firing ranges in Shenewa

Variants

Grethe 90

A variant of the Grethe which used a 90mm gun originally intended for use in Shenewan reconnaissance units. It was thought that the 90mm gun would be able to effectively counter vehicles short of an MBT and still put MBTs at risk through maneuver. Meanwhile, it would allow for more rounds to be carried, making main gun use against infantry and "soft" targets more practical. However, it quickly became apparent that the 90mm gun did not allow for sufficient additional ammunition to be carried to fully offset its reduced effect against armoured targets. With the program running into budget constraints, it was decided that all Grethe's would be procured in their 123mm gun configuration.

Grethe 123

The Grethe variant adopted by the Shenewan Imperial Army. Originally intended for use solely by the Tank Destroy Corps, a combination of factors led to its adoption as the standard variant in use with the Reconnaissance Corps as well.

Grethe 123M

A modernisation of the Grethe 123, developed privately by Sannsystems AB. It features an autoloader, reducing the crew requirements from 4 to 3, and improved armour, including an active protection system. It also modernises much of the vehicle, replacing parts common with the Villhund II with parts common with the Villhund III.

Grethe 123M1

The Grethe 123M1 is an even further modernised variant, being fitted to the operational requirements of the sannlig forces. It shares a lot of parts with the Villhund XP³ and serves along the Heavy Companies in the sannlig cavalry units.

Operators

Shenewa:

• Imperial Army: 750 Grethe 123 in service. Being replaced by Grethe 123Ms.

Sannlibo:

• Sannlig Land Forces: Adopted the Grethe 123M1 into service with the Fire Support Platoons as well as the Heavy Companies of the Reconnaissance Battalions. In total 144 Systems are in service with the sannlig forces.