Germany deploys PzH‑2000 howitzers in Russian territory offensive
Germany has joined the United Kingdom, USA, and France in agreeing to use its weaponry for attacking targets in Russia. As a result of this decision, German howitzers are 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 shell targets in Russia. These howitzers are among the world's most advanced 155 mm self-propelled artillery pieces, capable of striking targets up to 80 kilometres 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 at detected Russian artillery. These economical, non-guided rounds have a range of up to 30 kilometres, contain about 9 kilograms of TNT, and are equipped with a simple impact fuse. The Germans boasted that 85% of rounds of this type hit a target the size of a football field at a distance of 30 kilometres.
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 systems offer excellent crew protection and superior firepower but are complex and delicate.
They require experienced crews and outstanding technical support to operate, and they are far less forgiving of mistakes compared to, for instance, the 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 about 63 tonnes on a tracked chassis, equipped with a 155 mm gun that is 52 calibres long with an autoloader allowing up to 10 rounds per minute, which is an excellent rate of fire. 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 20 kilometres (range depends on the last shot in the series).
High mobility ensures high battlefield survivability, thanks to the combination of a 1,000-horsepower engine and the ability to take/leave a firing position in less than a minute, along with good armour protection. A unique aspect of the PzH-2000's armour is the special ceramic rubber mats called Igelpanzerung, which are applied to the armour and are sometimes capable of withstanding hits even from Lancet-3 drones.
