Azov Brigade demonstrates advanced DITA howitzer capabilities
Soldiers from the Azov Brigade showcased a DITA howitzer from the Czech Republic. Let’s see what it can do.
The Ukrainian "Azov" Brigade, despite ideological controversies, is one of the most motivated and well-commanded units in Ukraine. Often, its soldiers are assigned to the most challenging frontlines or are used to relieve other encircled Ukrainian units, as was the case around Toretsk.
For this reason, they are on the list of units that receive modern Western equipment first. Below, you can watch a recording where they present their findings from using the Czech DITA howitzer. This most likely comes from a batch funded by the Netherlands.
Ukrainian soldier from the Azov Brigade on the DITA howitzer
The commander of the DITA howitzer from the 12th Brigade, codenamed "Vorzel," says it allows them to reach farther than was previously possible and hit targets up to a maximum of 39 kilometres away. Furthermore, the Ukrainian greatly values the automation of the howitzer, which essentially requires only two soldiers to operate.
"DITA won’t allow you to do anything that could damage it. For example, it won’t let us fire while moving or without the supports extended. However, there is an option to switch to manual mode if the electronics fail. It basically allows for everything necessary because, among other things, a traditional artillery sight is also available."
"Vorzel" also values the mission planning system greatly, which can be set up easily in the rear where there are no GPS issues and stored in the system's memory with a digital map. Additionally, the Ukrainian praises the overall effectiveness of the system with reduced chances of being hit due to its very good mobility, requesting the delivery of more howitzers.
DITA howitzer — old DANA adapted to NATO standards
The new version of the DITA howitzer is a deep modernization of the vz.77 DANA system, whose greatest asset is the use of a cannon in the NATO calibre of 155 mm. This cannon is mounted in a turret on a chassis known from DANA (Tatra 815 VP31), which has undergone significant modifications.
The most important of these modifications is the new hydraulic support deployment system, which significantly reduces the time needed to prepare and leave a combat position. This is crucial in artillery operations where adversaries use artillery radars to quickly locate firing positions based on the trajectory of fired shells.
DITA is also equipped with an additional APU power generator, which provides electrical power for the entire onboard electronics, generating less heat and consuming less fuel than the main engine. The crew resides in a hermetically sealed and armoured cabin meeting the requirements of STANAG 4569 Level I. This cabin provides protection against artillery shell fragments up to 155 mm, as well as short-range firearm fire.
The DITA howitzer can hit targets up to 39 kilometres away using shells with a base bleed. More distant targets can be attacked using rocket-assisted projectiles such as the M549A1 or guided Vulcano GLR if the onboard computer is integrated with them.
The cannon achieves a maximum firing rate of six rounds per minute, although it may drop to five rounds per minute over time. It's worth noting that the loading automation handles both shells and propellant charges; the only task for the crew is to screw in the fuses and load the shells with propellant charges into the magazine, which holds 40 shells and propellant charges.
DITA can take or leave a position in under a minute. Additionally, it can fire in MRSI mode, allowing for three shells to almost simultaneously hit a target. All of this makes it one of the best artillery systems in the arsenal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
