DANA-M2 prototype trialed in Ukraine - "Trial and success"

DrunkenLamp · June 21, 2026, 12:29am

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DANA-M2 prototype trialed in Ukraine

History

The DANA-M2 is a modernized version of the Czechoslovak ShKH vz.77 DANA . It was developed by Excalibur Army as part of a long modernization program that began with earlier DANA-M1 that was introduced in 2011. The goal was to retain the proven DANA chassis while replacing most of the vehicle’s electronics, crew systems, and fire-control equipment with modern components. The crew comfort was also improved with addition of A/C for cabin and fighting compartment. Undercarriage has been improved vastly, with modernized engine used on ShKH vz.77 DANA. APHU auxiliary 24 V power unit, providing power for the gun in emergency. The vehicle is equipped with LANSYS FCS providing both thermal sight and laser-range finder, this system is also used on Zuzana 2, EVA series and more. The vehicle has 4 crew members with those being the driver, gunner, loader and commander. It also has 6x smoke launchers.

The primary differences between the production series and prototype is the inside of the armored cabin, with it being differently designed, with most of the gauges and alarms being in different positions, same with the monitor designed for the GPS and more. Prototype also doesn’t seem to mount 12,7mm NSVT anti-air machine gun, that is normally present on the production series. Another small difference is small cages over the headlights. Another tiny modification that is quite noticeable is the sight below the indirect sight.

First vehicle was introduced in 2018 and was especially promoted to Czech Republic, Poland and many other nations. Czech Republic decided to go with Caesar 8x8 CZ series of vehicles, that have yet to enter service with the Czech Army, due to the issues with fire control system that prolongs the procurement of the vehicles. Poland on the other hand decided to go with modernization of their wz.77 DANA howitzers, this was approved in 2019 with first vehicle being delivered in the same year, only 3 vehicles have been modernized so far, with Poland deciding to no-longer pursue this modernization, instead going with the K9 and Krab series. In 2020 Ukraine ordered 26 DANA-M2s, with these being delivered over the years and many more being provided by Czech Republic.

Ukraine tested the prototype of DANA-M2 in 2021, where multiple Ukranian specialists were present to view these trials. The vehicle was judged to be optimal to be put into service. Today Ukraine has over 26 DANA-M2 production series vehicles in service.

Characteristics

Armament

152,4mm howitzer
- -4° degrees of depresion, +70° degrees of elevation
- Traverse - 225°
- Firerate
  - Automatic
    - Initial minute - 5 Rnd/min
    - Sustained - 4 Rnd/min
  - Manual - 2 Rnd/min
- Munition
  - 152-EOF - HE
    - Velocity: 693 m/s
    - Shell weight: 43,5 Kg
    - Explosive filler: 6,48 Kg
  - 152-Ofd - HE-VT
    - Velocity: 693 m/s
    - Shell weight: 43,5 Kg
    - Explosive filler: 6,48 Kg
  - 152-EPrSv - HEAT
    - Velocity: 690 m/s
    - Shell weight: 27,4 Kg
    - Explosive filler: 4,8 Kg
  - DN1CZ - HE
    - Rocket-propelled HE
    - Velocity: 755 m/s
    - Shell weight: 58,7 Kg
    - Explosive filler: 8 Kg
  - Ammunition count: 40
    - 36 in autoloader
    - 4 additional
12,7mm NSVT
- ~2000 rounds on-board.

Mobility

Engine: 355 hp Tatra T3-930-52M, V12
Transmission: Semi-Automatic 5+1
Top speed of 90 kph
Weight: 30,200 Kg

Armour

Hull
- STANAG 4569 Level I
Turret
- STANAG 4569 Level I
Maximum amount of armor is 15mm

Dimensions

Lenght: 11456mm
Height: 3350mm
Width: 3000mm

In-game

In-game, prototype of this vehicle in Ukranian tech tree/sub tree would be compared to Czech variant worse, lacking a lot of munition that is avaliable to the Czech prototype.

Pictures

Prototype in trials in Ukraine