Delivery to Ukraine: what the self-propelled howitzer can do

The self-propelled howitzer is a heavy artillery system with a cannon mounted on a tracked vehicle – resembling a tank. What does this device do in battle?

“Responsive, far-reaching, accurate” – these are the adjectives used by the Bundeswehr to describe the Panzerhaubitze 2000. This is a heavy artillery piece, but it was mounted on the chassis of a chain wheeled tank, which means that the howitzer is not dependent on being pulled or to be moved, but can do it yourself. What can be vital in a battle: the other side can use radar to determine the location of the firing gun and, if in doubt, switch it off.

The tank howitzer, however, so it is said in technical jargon, is capable of “shoot and scoot”. Translated: “Fire and then let’s go.” Equipped with 1000 hp, the colossus can reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour from a rolling gun. It fires 155mm ammunition that can hit 30 kilometers away. The range can be increased to 40 kilometers or more with special ammunition.

From repair pool

Germany is thus supplying Ukraine with high-quality, heavy equipment that is considered very efficient for combating distant targets. The howitzers to be delivered are devices that come from the material pool for army repairs, i.e. not material that was available to the active troops and will be immediately lacking.

Officially, the force has 119 examples of the Panzerhaubitze 2000, of which about 40 are apparently operational. The gun was – after intensive debate – temporarily used in Afghanistan. The Netherlands had already promised to deliver the self-propelled howitzer to Ukraine.

Experts on the training of Ukrainian soldiers

The training for the Ukrainian armed forces will take place at the Bundeswehr Artillery School in Idar-Oberstein and, as Defense Minister Lambrecht announced, should begin as early as next week. A “training module” will last 43 days, according to the SPD politician.

In a report prepared by the Bundestag’s scientific service, the question was recently raised as to whether Germany would become a war party by training Ukrainian soldiers. Without giving a clear answer: You are moving into a gray area, so the result of the paper. On the other hand, the report is clear on the question of whether a state becomes a party to the war by supplying weapons. The answer: an unequivocal no.