PANZERHAUBITZE 2000 (PZH2000)

In 1996 Krauss Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall jointly developed the Pzh-2000, or Panzerhaubitze 2000, howitzer 2000. In 1998 Germany decided to purchase 185 Pzh-2000s, the Netherlands followed with 57 vehicles (of which 18 are still active, the rest are for sale). Italy with 70 vehicles and Greece with 24 vehicles also ordered the Pzh-2000. In 2002 the last Pzh-2000 vehicle was delivered to the German army (land forces). The Pzh-2000 howitzer has a range of 30km, and can fire 3 shots within 9 seconds. By calculating the trajectory of the projectiles and elevating the gun, the ballistic computer can ensure that these 3 shells fall simultaneously. Within a minute the Pzh-2000 can fire 10 shots and in continuous fire 10 to 13 shells per minute, note that this depends on the overheating of the barrel. Two men can load 60 shells and propellant charge within 12 minutes. In total the Pzh-2000 has a crew of 5 people. The Pzh-2000 is a large vehicle compared to the M-109 and AS-90, but despite its size the vehicle weighs “only” 55 tons, and can still drive about 40 to 45 km/h in rough terrain. In addition to the countries that already use the Pzh-2000, Finland and Sweden have tested the Pzh-2000, but the Finns found the Pzh-2000 too expensive and the Swedes opted for the Archer artillery system. The Pzh-2000 was used by the Netherlands in Afghanistan (2006), but with all the dust and extreme heat, there were still some problems with the weapon system. The Germans have been using the Pzh-2000 in Afghanistan since 2010. Due to all the government(s) cutbacks, the Netherlands only has 18 Pzh-2000s in service, while 39 were in storage for sale. The vehicles in storage have been put back into active service for about 2 years now. And sales have been stopped.
The Germans have also already disposed of 31 vehicles and are in storage. In terms of range, the Pzh-2000 can fire a grenade over a maximum distance of 35 km. In 2022, a number of Pzh-2000s were delivered to Ukraine.
The pzh-2000 has 7 running wheels, front drive gear and rear tension gear.
The vehicle has a large, long oval turret.
The bazooka plates make a wavy movement.
The turret is at the very back of the hull.
The driver sits on the right side of the hull.
To the left of the barrel, at the front of the turret is a cooling grille.
At the back of the vehicle are 2 doors.
The headlights are placed on top of the hull.
There is an enlarged space between the 4th and 5th running wheel.
On the left side of the hull is an air intake grille for the engine.
On the right side of the hull is a pull rod attached to the side of the hull.
There is a large door in the turret at the back.
On both sides of the barrel are 4 smoke can launch systems.
There are 2 hatches in the middle of the turret. 1x left and 1x right on top. The 7.62mm machine gun is on the left side of the turret.
On the back of the hull, 2 storage boxes protrude.
The barrel retaining ring is located in the middle of the front of the hull.




TECHNICAL DATA PZH-2000:
Length:
11.67m (with gun forward).
Width:
3.58m.
Height:
3.06m.
Weight:
55,300kg.
Crew:
5
Ammunition supply:
60x 155mm, 1,000x 7.62mm.
Armouring:
155mm gun, 1x 7.62mm machine gun.
Fuel supply:
1,000 litres.
Climbing ability:
50%
Speed:
60 km/h.
Range:
420km.
Overshooting ability:
3.00m.
Vertical obstacle:
1.00m.
Nbc system:
Yes.
Engine:
Mtu 881 diesel engine, with 1,000hp.