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The German Armed Forces will receive the first of 10 PzH 2000 self-propelled tank howitzers in 2025, under a new contract with German arms company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has been engaged by the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support to deliver the vehicles and provide options for the production of a total 18 additional PzH 2000s in three lots of six systems, according to a KMW public statement made on 29 March.
The new vehicles are expected to replace German artillery self-propelled tank howitzers given to Ukraine as part of military support operations.
The PzH 2000 artillery is armed with a 155mm cannon with a range of 54 kilometres, direct fire of two kilometres, and rate of fire of three rounds in a 10-second burst or up to 10 rounds per minute.
It also has a 60-round combat load, an optional mounted machinegun, and smoke grenade launching system.
Earlier this year, KMW signed a contract for 54 new LEOPARD 2 A7 main battle tanks with NDMA, the Norwegian military procurement authority.
The vehicles are scheduled for delivery from 2026 to 2028, with an option of an additional 18 LEOPARD 2 A7 NOR vehicles.
“This signing is a strong signal for European cooperation. It also underscores the tank’s performance and future viability and its importance for joint defense efforts in Europe. KMW is grateful for the confidence,” KMW chief executive officer Ralf Ketzel said.
“We look forward to the project and thus to long-term international industrial cooperation with Norwegian industry.”
Robert Dougherty
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