PzH 2000 on display at Bundeswehr Military History Museum, Dresden (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Germany has reportedly planned to procure field artillery pieces, starting with dozens of howitzers, to help replenish the billions of dollars worth of military aid they sent to Ukraine.
According to Reuters, Germany plans to purchase up to 28 self-propelled howitzers to restock its diminishing arsenal, which the country began supplying to Ukraine last year to ramp up the latter’s effort to fight against the Russian invasion.
In the document the news outlet reviewed on Monday, Berlin’s defense ministry said to procure at least ten howitzers from a local manufacturer, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), at the cost of 180 million euros ($194 million). They are also seeking an option for eighteen more self-propelled artillery systems.
Likewise, the defense ministry intends to activate procurement options for 12 more howitzers, effectively replacing all weapons transferred to Kyiv while providing spares to the Ukrainian forces.
Arming Ukrainian Forces
Germany, alongside the United States, are two of the Western countries that have been providing Ukraine the unwavering humanitarian support and military aid to repel the Russians against their unprovoked, ongoing “special military operations.”
Berlin delivered Marder armored personnel carriers, a Patriot air defense missile battery, Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, anti-aircraft guns, and IRIS-T (Infrared Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) surface-to-air missiles, among other armaments, to Kyiv, in addition to dozens of drones, small arms, and ammunition, as well as body armor and helmets for the fighting forces at the front.
The armored howitzer 2000, also known as PzH 2000, is one of the most powerful 155-mm artillery weapons in Bundeswehr (German military) inventories, capable of hitting targets up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). Moreover, the self-propelled howitzer can reach up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) using advanced long-range ammunition.
Based on the components of the Leopard tank, the PzH 2000 measures about 12 meters (39 feet) long and is powered by a 986-horsepower MTU 881 diesel engine, capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 41 miles (or 66 kilometers) per hour.
Germany has reportedly planned to procure field artillery pieces, starting with dozens of howitzers, to help replenish the billions of dollars worth of military aid they sent to Ukraine.
According to Reuters, Germany plans to purchase up to 28 self-propelled howitzers to restock its diminishing arsenal, which the country began supplying to Ukraine last year to ramp up the latter’s effort to fight against the Russian invasion.
In the document the news outlet reviewed on Monday, Berlin’s defense ministry said to procure at least ten howitzers from a local manufacturer, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), at the cost of 180 million euros ($194 million). They are also seeking an option for eighteen more self-propelled artillery systems.
Likewise, the defense ministry intends to activate procurement options for 12 more howitzers, effectively replacing all weapons transferred to Kyiv while providing spares to the Ukrainian forces.
Arming Ukrainian Forces
Germany, alongside the United States, are two of the Western countries that have been providing Ukraine the unwavering humanitarian support and military aid to repel the Russians against their unprovoked, ongoing “special military operations.”
Berlin delivered Marder armored personnel carriers, a Patriot air defense missile battery, Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, anti-aircraft guns, and IRIS-T (Infrared Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) surface-to-air missiles, among other armaments, to Kyiv, in addition to dozens of drones, small arms, and ammunition, as well as body armor and helmets for the fighting forces at the front.
The armored howitzer 2000, also known as PzH 2000, is one of the most powerful 155-mm artillery weapons in Bundeswehr (German military) inventories, capable of hitting targets up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). Moreover, the self-propelled howitzer can reach up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) using advanced long-range ammunition.
Based on the components of the Leopard tank, the PzH 2000 measures about 12 meters (39 feet) long and is powered by a 986-horsepower MTU 881 diesel engine, capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 41 miles (or 66 kilometers) per hour.
Check out the video to learn more about the German armored howitzer.
More Ammunitions and Fast
Germany also supplied Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery earlier this year. Giving in to the immense pressure to offer more—and fast, Berlin finally gave the green light to allow export to its revered Leopard 2 tanks, a reliable workhorse to many European armies.
Since the onset of the invasion, Ukraine has been begging Western allies for main battle tanks, mainly from Germany and the US. However, again and again, Berlin refused to allow this, perhaps waiting for Washington to take the lead and send its Abrams into the battlefield in Kyiv.
It was painstakingly slow, but by mid-February, Poland began delivering four of its Leopard tanks to Ukraine with permission from Germany and would be sending more soon.
On our part, the Pentagon has also announced accelerating its shipment of dozens of M1A1 Abrams tanks to boost the Ukrainian force’s combat capability, expecting to complete the transfer by the fall of this year. But, unfortunately, that is still not soon enough for the desperate Ukrainian forces.
Main battle tanks aside, the first batch of PzH 2000s promised by Germany was sent to Ukraine in May last year via the Netherlands, and another 14 self-propelled howitzers from Bundeswehr’s stock many months later.
According to reports, the German army has about a hundred PzH 2000s in its arsenal. Still, only 40 are combat-ready. Hence, the urgent need to acquire more and bring the broken ones up to speed.
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.