Berlin, Aug. 2 (Bulgarian Military) – According to a media release, just a month after the delivery of the German artillery systems to Ukraine, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 or PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers are already showing signs of wear and tear.
In the middle of the week, according to Spiegel, Kyiv informed the Defense Ministry in Berlin that some of the seven Panzerhaubitze 2000 guns delivered in late June were showing error messages after intense shelling of Russian positions, indicating that several howitzers they need repair.
The Bundeswehr suggests that the problems are related to the high rate of fire with which the Ukrainian armed forces use the guns in the fight against the Russian invaders. As a result, the howitzer’s loading mechanism is subjected to enormous stress.
The troops consider 100 rounds a day a high-intensity mission, but the Ukrainians apparently fired many more shells. In addition, it is said that the soldiers at the front initially tried to fire special ammunition at too great a distance.
Germany sends spare parts
So the Bundeswehr agreed to quickly send additional packages of spare parts to Ukraine to solve the problems. At the same time, the federal government is negotiating with the arms industry to set up a repair center in Poland, where necessary repairs to delivered materials can be done more quickly.
BulgairenMilitary.com recalls that KMW begins production of 100 155mm PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. KMW also confirmed that after production, it will deliver the artillery systems to Ukraine. According to the German online portal Soldat und Technik, which cited Der Spiegel, the deal is worth 1.7 billion euros and has already received the official approval of the Federal Ministry of Economics.
Problems with the Gepard anti-aircraft gun
New problems also arose with the replenishment of ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank, the first five systems of which were recently delivered to Ukraine, according to the report. During test firings in Germany, it turned out that the Gepard firing system did not recognize the ammunition of a Norwegian manufacturer, so the shells now have to be improved. The modified ammunition is due to be tested again in August.
155-mm PzH 2000
PzH-2000 is a 155-mm closed-type cannon chassis, built based on components and units of the “Leopard-2” tank. Additional weapons consist of a 7.62-mm MG-3 machine gun and eight smoke grenade launchers [2×4]. The machine carries 60 artillery shells, 48 all-metal charges [six-segment], 2,000 machine guns, and 8 grenade launchers.
PzH 2000 is very suitable for the modern concept of war – from a great distance to hit the target with one volley and quickly leave the position. An automated fire control system helps to cover the target without shots, which directs the entire battery at once. PzH 2000 can fire three projectiles in 9 seconds or 10 in 56 seconds. Then the speed is from 10 to 13 shots per minute, depending on the heating of the barrel.
Range of firing with a standard NATO projectile L15A2 – 30 km. PzH 2000 holds the world record among 155 mm howitzers. At a test site in South Africa, she fired a specially designed V-LAP projectile, manufactured by the South African company Denel, 56 km away.
Read original: https://bulgarianmilitary.com/amp/2022/07/30/german-pzh-2000s-in-ukraine-wear-out-error-message-after-heavy-fire/
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