- Yes
- No
General Info
The story of the PzH 2000 began shortly after the development of the SP-70 project was cancelled. In the late 1980’s, Italy, Germany and the UK had decided to stop further development of the SP-70, they couldn’t agree on what to do with the machine, and there had been a couple of problems with funding. That said however, a couple of prototypes of the machine would be constructed. They had been used in many experiments to evaluate the machine, each country who was part of the program was able to gain valuable intel on the making of this class of military vehicles. So it was no surpise that shortly thereafter some new vehicles began to be developed. Specifically this lead to the Italian Palmaria made by OTO Melara, the British AS-90 and lastly the German PzH 2000. The PzH 2000 was made and jointly developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and also Rheinmetall for the German Army. In the early stages of development there was 2 proposed designs for this new vehicle, after vigorious testing the design made by Wegmann would be chosen, and eventually would go unto serve inside of the German armed forces. Wegmann would specifically be in charge of making the hull for the PzH 2000 while Rheinmetall was in charge of designing and producing the turret and the 155mm gun. In terms of mobility, the vehicle uses the MTU MT 881 Ka-500 diesel engine which produces up to 1000 horse power. It would be able to go around 60km per hour on road and 45km per hour off road. In total it would have an operational range of 420km. The hull was initially going to be the same hull used on the SP-70, however that was quickly scrapped and instead would use a brand new one which would be bigger and more protected. It’s armour is able to withstand up to 14.5mm machine guns. It is also able to withstand hits from shell splinters. That said against enemy autocannons and other high caliber armament up close would mean the PzH 2000 could be in danger. There is also an option for the platform to be fitted with Igelpanzerung armor, giving it extra protection on the turret roof. Its armament consists of a Rhienmental made 155mm L52 cannon, which is able to fire a multitude of NATO standard munitions. This includes rounds such as the DM121 Boattail and the SMArt 155 artillery round. In total the PzH 2000 is able to hold up to 60 rounds, which with its automatic shell-loading system allows the PzH 2000 to fire up to 3 rounds every 10 seconds. Testing and development of the machine continued which eventually lead to the vehicle being put in service with the German army by 1998, the platform became Germany’s most powerful conventional artillery system. It began to attract many nations attention, and as such it would be offered for export. At the time Italy was hoping to begin to put out of service the now old OTO Melara M109-L’s which had been in service for quite awhile. A set of negotiations began in 1998 and were concluded by March 2000 with the signing of several industrial agreements. This lead to Italy gaining the ability to locally produce the PzH 2000 under license by OTO Melara who was assisted by Fiat and Iveco under the CIO Consortium, they would become the prime supplier of the system for the Italian army. Initally the Italian army ordered 70 units of the PzH 2000, two of which could be taken from the German customer’s current series supply contract. The two German PzH 2000’s were used in Italy for trials, initial briefings and training of Italian operating crews. From 2005 to 2010, CIO delivered 68 PzH 2000 to the Italian army. There were some notable differences between the Italian and German PzH 2000’s since they had to be adapted for specific Italian requirements. Differences include a laser warning system, Galix smoke grenades, Italian radios and command and control systems and also modifications to allow the crew’s personal equipment to be stored inside. In Italian service, the PzH 2000 is operated by the 132° brigata Ariete and 8° Pasubio Brigata Garibaldi, 53° Torino and lastly its also used inside the Scuola d’artiglieria di Bracciano. Although it hasn’t been part of any active combat missions so far in Italy, it has actually been used extensivley inside of NATO exercises, and non NATO ones. For example the Garibaldi brigade partook in NASR 2019 in Qatar where a joint training took place which saw majority of Italian equipment such as the PzH 2000 being used. Italy has also increased its firepower by arming it with the Italian made Leonardo VUCLANO 155mm round. Italy also donated up to 6 PzH 2000’s to Ukraine and as of now have not sustained any combat loss. Overall the PzH 2000 is a great piece of tech and contuines to be in full time service in the Italian army.
Armament+Equipment
x1 Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 Artillery Gun (able to fire all NATO standard 155mm munitions)
x1 optional 7.62mm machine gun
Galix smoke grenades
Laser warning system
Igelpanzerung (hedgehog add-on armour)
Specifications
Why it should be in game
I believe this vehicle should be in game as it would be a fun vehicle to use. With Gaijin begining to add more and more artillery pieces in game its only natural that the PzH 2000 also makes its way in game. With Germany also being a user Gaijin may want to also add it to their tree at the same time. The vehicle won’t be too OP due to its size. In a normal match it wont have a lot of chances to fully hide itself, especially when it comes to aircraft being able to spot it from afar. It would be easy to model and overall would be a great vehicle to make its way into the game.
Sources
Spoiler
OTO Melara 1905-2005
NTW 1991-07 p.09
WT 3/91
Panzerhaubitze 2000: Entwicklung - Technik - Einsatz
OTO Melara PzH 2000 Brochure
Rid Rivista Italiana Difesa N.8 - agosto 2020
Obice Semovente PzH 2000 - Militarypedia
https://www.coccardetricolori.it/pzh-2000/
Hedgehog Armor Saves Ukraine’s German-Built Super Howitzer From Russian Kamikaze Drone
PzH 2000 - KNDS
Semovente PzH 2000 (PANZERHAUBITZE2000) - Esercito Italiano
PzH 2000 - Wikipedia
Panzerhaubitze 2000 - Wikipedia
PzH 2000 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer - Army Technology
Accueil - Defense aerospace
https://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/la-situazione-delle-forze-armate-italiane-lartiglieria-semovente
FINMECCANICA: PER OTO MELARA-IVECO CONTRATTO DA ESERCITO ITALIANO
NASR 2019 - Esercito Italiano
PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000)
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/pzh_2000.htm
https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2023_global_security_army_industry/pzh_2000_155mm_howitzers_coming_from_italy_are_now_in_service_with_ukrainian_army.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X-DBS6NuDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYY8dYM0ub0
Photos
