Qatar trades advanced howitzers: Boost for Ukrainian defences
As reported by the Militarny portal, citing German Bild, the German government has approved the sale of the latest 155 mm RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers to Qatar in the first half of 2024. In return, Doha will provide Ukraine with 12 out of their 24 PzH 2000 howitzers.
Artillery equipment plays a crucial role in the conflict in Ukraine, enabling attacks on enemy positions situated several tens of miles away from allied locations. This capacity is particularly important as popular kamikaze drones and tanks do not possess such considerable firepower.
Valuable howitzers will go to Ukraine
Ukrainians now have a significant reason to be pleased, as their armed forces will soon be bolstered by some of the best self-propelled howitzers in the world, comparable to the Polish AHS Krab. This is due to the purchases planned by the Qatari government in Germany. We are talking about acquiring modern RCH 155 howitzers, which will partly replace the mentioned PzH 2000.
As Militarny explains, Doha will provide Ukraine with 12 PzH 2000 units in exchange for permission to purchase the RCH 155 howitzers. Qatar will still have 12 of these machines remaining in its arsenal. However, before the howitzers reach the frontlines, they will first be sent to Germany for necessary repairs and preparations.
PzH 2000 and RCH 155: valuable equipment on the modern battlefield
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is an advanced and powerful self-propelled howitzer mounted on a tracked chassis, weighing an impressive 63 tons. Equipped with an automatic loading system, the 155 mm gun with a length of 52 calibres can fire up to 10 rounds per minute. This efficiency enables a 5-shot MRSI (Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact) mode, where the shells can simultaneously hit the target from a distance exceeding 12 miles.
The firing range of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 varies depending on the type of ammunition used. The most commonly encountered DM121 shells provide a range of up to 19 miles. With shells that have a gas generator, the distance increases to 25 miles, and rocket-assisted projectiles like the M549A1 allow hitting targets up to 37 miles. Moreover, the PzH 2000 can utilize special shells such as SMArt 155, which can automatically target and destroy armoured targets, or Vulcano GLR sub-calibre guided projectiles, which can reach distances of up to 50 miles.
Qatar will purchase RCH 155 howitzers: capable of firing while moving
The designers of the RCH 155 howitzer have introduced a 155 mm tube with a length of 52 calibres. The turret also houses an ammunition magazine capable of holding 30 shells, propellant charges, and an automatic loader. The crew can expect a firing range of about 25 miles using standard ammunition. With V-LAP projectiles, this range can be even greater. The howitzer’s rate of fire is estimated at nine rounds per minute. Its greatest advantage, however, is the ability to conduct firing while on the move.
Despite its length exceeding 33 feet and a weight of approximately 43 tons, the RCH 155 is expected to feature excellent mobility. The 8x8 drive and a powerful engine provide a maximum speed of up to 62 mph. In comparison, the Polish Krab reaches a maximum speed of about 43 mph. The RCH 155 howitzer is capable of covering a distance of up to approximately 435 miles on a single tank of fuel.
