Denmark's defence blunder: Civilian GPS cripples artillery systems
Denmark acquired rocket and barrel artillery systems from Israel as replacements for the CAESAR howitzers they provided to Ukraine. However, it turned out that due to excessive haste, the ordered equipment is unusable. Here's what went wrong.
According to the Danish portal DR, the ATMOS 2000 howitzers and PULS system rocket launchers purchased in haste were mistakenly ordered by the Danish Ministry of Defence with civilian GPS navigation instead of military GPS, which is more resistant to interference.
The war in Ukraine illustrated that civilian solutions, and even some military ones, can be ineffective. Now, DR sources indicate that the introduction of the system into service will be delayed by three to four years compared to the original combat readiness date set for the end of 2025. Additionally, costs will exceed initial estimates. Furthermore, some sources have doubts about whether the GPS modules can be replaced in all components of the delivered system.
The root of the problem was the extremely rapid purchasing process, as representatives of the Danish Ministry of Defence believed they only had five days to finalize the purchase. However, an independent investigation later revealed it was actually five months.
ATMOS 2000 and PULS — an interesting tandem from Israel
Denmark acquired 19 ATMOS 2000 (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System) howitzers from the Israeli company Elbit as replacements for the newly produced CAESARs handed over to Ukraine. These were joined by eight PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) rocket launchers.
This powerful combination enables the engagement of targets several hundred kilometres away, even with ballistic missiles. The ATMOS 2000 howitzer was primarily designed for export as a competitor to the French CAESAR. The weapon was developed assuming it would fit into the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The weapon is equipped with a 155 mm howitzer with a 52-calibre barrel. It is mounted on a wheeled chassis in a 6x6 or 8x8 configuration (in this case from Tatra T815 VVN). The howitzer has a semi-automatic loading system, ensuring a firing rate of up to eight rounds per minute. The system's crew consists of two to six soldiers.
The howitzer can engage targets at about 30 kilometres using the least expensive ammunition, extending to approximately 40 kilometres with rocket-assisted projectiles. Moreover, as befits a modern system, the ATMOS 2000 can fire in a destructive MRSI mode.
