German howitzers join forces in striking Russian positions
9:29 AM EDT, June 22, 2024
Germany has joined the United Kingdom, USA, France, and others in agreeing to use its weaponry to target Russian locations. As a result of this decision, German howitzers are now shelling Russian targets in the Belgorod region. We remind you what these powerful machines are capable of.
After Storm Shadow cruise missiles, guided bombs, and GMLRS rockets, it's now the turn of German PzH-2000 howitzers to strike targets within Russia. These are some of the world's most advanced 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, capable of hitting targets up to 50 miles away using Vulcano GLR 155 shells or acting as tank hunters with SMArt 155 shells.
The video below shows the PzH-2000 firing at Russian forces with standard DM121 shells aimed at detected Russian artillery. These economical, non-guided rounds, containing 19 pounds of TNT, range up to 19 miles and are equipped with a simple impact fuze. The Germans boasted that despite this, 85% of rounds of this type hit a target the size of a football field at a distance of 19 miles.
Panzerhaubitze 2000 - a very successful but also delicate self-propelled howitzer
Ukraine received 27 PzH-2000 howitzers from Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, among the most valuable 155 mm artillery systems in Ukraine. These very advanced constructions offer the best crew protection and excellent fire parameters, but their complexity and delicacy are the downside.
They require experienced crews and excellent technical support to operate, and they are far less forgiving of mistakes compared to, for instance, Polish Krabs, which are less sensitive to deficiencies in technical culture and crew training. This has led to problems with the PzH-2000, which initially spent more time in repair than on the front.
Panzerhaubitze 2000 is a heavy construction, weighing as much as 63 tons on a tracked chassis. It is equipped with a 155 mm gun that is 52 calibers long, with an autoloader allowing up to 10 rounds per minute, which is an excellent result. In addition, the PzH-2000 has an isolated ammunition magazine with a capacity of 60 shells ready to fire. Interestingly, loading these shells takes only 12 minutes, minimizing the risk of howitzer destruction during reloading.
Like any modern system, the PzH-2000 can fire in MRSI (Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact) mode, where all rounds hit the target almost simultaneously. The technique involves firing the first round at a steep angle and subsequent rounds at progressively shallower angles. The PzH-2000 can fire a five-round salvo to distances over 12 miles (range depends on the last shot in the series).
High battlefield survivability is ensured by high mobility, thanks to the combination of a 1,000-horsepower engine, the ability to take and leave a firing position in less than a minute, and good armor protection. A unique aspect of the PzH-2000's armor is special ceramic-rubber mats called Igelpanzerung applied to it, sometimes capable of withstanding hits even from Lancet-3 drones.
