The systems were assigned to the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf subunit, General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion based at Rukla. The 155 mm howitzers replaced its former 105 mm variants with an effective range of approx. 11 kilometers. The current upgrade to the Battalion’s capabilities increases its effective artillery fire range to 50 kilometers depending on the ammunition used. The PzH2000s are also suitable for direct fire tasks, i.e., destroying targets by delivering fire directly straight at them.
“The war in Ukraine lets us see how an effective artillery capability is one of the most critical pillars in defence, and the PzH2000 howitzers that have been delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces will unquestionably enhance the defence capabilities of our Armed Forces,” says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
The firs of the acquired howitzers arrived in the Lithuanian armed Forces back in 2018 and Artillery Battalion military personnel have already tested the self-propelled system capability on numerous occasions during exercises.
As part of the PzH2000 acquisition project, the Artillery Battalion also received M577 armored vehicles earlier after they had been repaired and customized for the role of fire control post, also, upgraded BPz2 recovery tanks, forward observer and tactical air control equipment, low-floor trucks, ammunition lorries, ADLER III artillery command and control system, etc.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces indirect fire capability development project was carried out on EUR 58.3 million funds. It covered equipment acquisition, modernization, personnel training and development of military infrastructure for howitzer use and maintenance.
The PzH2000 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer is one of the most advanced batch-produced howitzers worldwide. The field artillery system production was began in 1999 in Germany. Other militaries armed with these self-propelled cannons at present are German, Dutch, Greek, Italian, Croatian and Qatar’s armed forces. The PzH2000 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer has a particularly high rate of fire and long effective range. The cutting edge upgrades make the howitzers unrivalled in indirect fire support to friendly forces. Extensive credibility and mobility features, solid armour, automatic recharge and compatibility with smart ammunition are the factors of the PzH2000 advantage on the battlefield.
Technical characteristics:
Manufacturer: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG (KMW), Germany
Developed in: 1996
Produced since: 1998
Mass: approx. 55 t.
Length/width/height (m): 11.7/3.6/3.1
Crew: 5 (commander, driver, gunner, loadersx2)
Armament: 155 mm, 60 rounds
Rate of fire: up to 10 rounds/min., up to 5 rounds of salvo fire
Engine: 1000 AG
Speed: up to 60 km/h
Operational range: >420 km
Also operated by: Germany, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Qatar, the Netherlands, Hungary.