PzH 2000 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (Germany)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 14/01/2023

Development of the PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze) began in 1987. It evolved from the international SP70 programme, which was cancelled in 1980s due to funding problems. Prototype of the PzH 2000 was completed in 1993. Initially German Army planned to order a total of 1 254 new self-propelled howitzers, however in 1996, due to the end of Cold War, a contract was signed only for 185 artillery systems. First systems were delivered to the German Army in 1998. Export operators of the PzH 2000 are Croatia (12), Greece (25), Italy (68), Lithuania (21), Netherlands (57), and Qatar (24). This artillery system saw action in Afghanistan. In 2022 Germany and Netherlands delivered 12 of these artillery systems to Ukraine in order to defend against the Russian invasion. During the same year Germany approved the sale of 100 additional PzH 2000 howitzer to Ukraine. However deliveries might take several years to complete.

The PzH 2000 is fitted with a 155 mm/L52 howitzer. Vehicle has a fully-automatic loading system with ammunition management system. The PzH 2000 is compatible with standard NATO 155 mm ammunition. Maximum range of fire is 30 km with standard HE-FRAG shell and 40 km with base bleed shell. Using a South African VLAP rocket-assisted shell a range of 56 km can be achieved. Many other howitzers make initial shots and adjust their guns depending on the data provided by forward observers. This is not the case with the PzH 2000. This howitzer is highly accurate. It can shell given coordinates straight away and there is no need for fire correction from artillery observers.

This howitzer is compatible with German SMArt 155 guided artillery shells. These are launched in the same manner as ordinary artillery shells. Maximum range is 27.5 km. These are long-range fire-and-forget munitions designed to destroy hostile tanks and armored vehicles. The SMArt 155 shell contains two autonomous submunitions. One of them has infrared sensor while the other has a radar sensor. Once in the target area these submunitions are ejected and deploy parachutes. Each submunition corkscrews down over the target area, scanning for targets. Once the target vehicle is detected submunition detonates. The target is destroyed by an explosively formed penetrator, which is created by the blast. These submunitions strike turret roofs, where armor is relatively thin. The SMArt 155 guided shells are known in German army service under the DM702 and DM702A1 designations.

Maximum rate of fire is 9 shels per minute. It can launch 3 shells within 10 seconds. This howitzer is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing. A total of 60 shells are stowed in a magazine.

Secondary armament consists of a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun.

The PzH 2000 receives target data via datalink. The gun is automatically laid using the fire control data.

Front armor of the PzH 2000 provides protection against 14.5 mm rounds. All-round protection is against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Explosive reactive armor can be fitted if necessary. The PzH 2000 is also fitted with automatic fire suppression and NBC protection systems.

The PzH 2000 has a crew of five, including commander, gunner, two loaders and driver. Target engagements can be carried out by a crew of two men. Loaders are employed only when autoloader fails.

Chassis of the PzH 2000 uses some components of the Leopard 2 main battle tank. This artillery system is powered by the MTU MT 881 Ka-500 supercharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The PzH 2000 is also fitted with auxiliary power unit, powering all systems, when the main engine is turned off.

The PzH 2000 is reloaded by two operators. Shells are automatically picked up from the back of the vehicle and stowed in the autoloader's magazine. Shells and associated charges are replenished within 12 minutes.

In 2022 Germany approved the sale of 100 PzH 2000 howitzers to Ukraine. The howitzers were reportedly worth $1.72 billion. This comes down to $17.2 million per howitzer. Operational use in Ukraine revealed that these German howitzers require intensive maintenance. Ukraine operates various modern Western howitzers, such as the French CAESAR, Polish Krab and Slovak Zuzana 2 and American relatively modern M109A5. Out of the lot German PzH 2000 howitzer were the first ones that stopped firing after extensive use in combat and required servicing.

MONARC (Modular Naval Artillery Concept), study about mounting turret of the PzH 2000 howitzer on a naval ship. It was mounted on the deck of Hamburg, a Sachsen class frigate.