The Netherlands strengthens Ukraine with advanced Czech howitzers
The Netherlands has ordered another batch of DITA howitzers from the Czech company Excalibur Army for Ukraine. Below, we delve into the performance of the DANA howitzer, now modified to NATO caliber specifications.
7:19 AM EDT, October 18, 2024
At a European Council meeting, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Denmark announced in a joint statement the purchase of 155mm caliber artillery ammunition for Ukraine, slated for delivery in 2025. The Netherlands' contribution totals 271 million euros. This procurement is part of an ongoing effort, as the Dutch have ordered six additional DITA howitzers.
This follows a similar purchase from February 2024, when nine howitzers were ordered for Ukraine. This aid is crucial for Ukraine, as each modern artillery system capable of firing 19 to 25 miles with standard ammunition proves invaluable.
DITA — the DANA howitzer updated and adapted to NATO standards
The modern DITA howitzer is a significant upgrade of the well-known vz.77 DANA system. It features a 155mm NATO caliber gun with a barrel length of 45 calibers. The gun is mounted in a turret placed on the same chassis as the DANA (Tatra 815 VP31), which has been significantly modified.
The modifications primarily involve updates to the hydraulic support extension system, greatly reducing the time needed to set up and leave a firing position. This capability is crucial during artillery operations where both sides use artillery radars to target opponents based solely on the projectiles fired.
DITA also incorporates an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) generator, powering all onboard electronics while generating less heat and consuming less fuel compared to the running main engine. Thanks to digitization and automation, the crew has been reduced to just two soldiers.
The crew operates from a sealed, armored cabin meeting the STANAG 4569 Level I standard. This cabin offers protection against artillery shell fragments up to 155mm caliber and small arms fire at close range.
The DITA howitzer can effectively attack targets up to 24 miles away using gas generator shells or farther when utilizing rocket-assisted shells like the M549A1. Its maximum rate of fire is six rounds per minute, tapering to five after sustained firing.
DITA can prepare to fire or exit its position in under a minute and execute fire in MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) mode, allowing up to three projectiles to strike the target nearly simultaneously.
