Germany considers transferring the world's most powerful artillery to Ukraine

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 Germany is said to be considering sending Ukraine self-propelled howitzers PzH 2000 to help Kiev improve its ability to cope with the Russian military campaign.


Bloomberg on May 4, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had proposed to transfer PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers to the country. The government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is considering this and a number of other proposals, but has not made a final decision.


"If approved, this would be a powerful move by Chancellor Scholz's administration, making Germany one of the European countries that give Ukraine the most weapons," said Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the Foundation. Marshall of Germany in Brussels, comments.


The German government's stance has changed dramatically since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in late February. Initially, Berlin refused to supply Kiev with heavy weapons due to fears of a direct conflict with Moscow. . However, as the conflict entered a new and more intense phase, Germany gave the "green light" to hand over heavy weapons to Ukraine, including the decision to deliver 50 Gepard anti-aircraft guns last week. prior to.


Prime Minister Scholz is under increasing pressure because of his reluctance to provide advanced weapons systems to help Ukraine cope with the Russian military campaign. Over the weekend, Mr. Scholz announced that Germany was ready to send more weapons to Ukraine.


Germany owns 119 PzH 2000 artillery systems, but only 40 are in operation. The military of this country warned that the supply of these self-propelled guns to Ukraine could reduce Germany's defense capabilities. However, Defense Secretary Kirkegaard dismissed these concerns. According to him, those systems not only protect Ukraine, but also protect Europe.


Previously, the Netherlands provided Ukraine with PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, while Germany only provided ammunition and training to operate the system.


PZH-2000 is a product of the German corporation Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. It is considered one of the best self-propelled howitzers in the world. The PZH-2000 is built on the Leopard-1 main battle tank chassis. The main weapon of the PZH-2000 is the 155 mm cannon.


This grenade is equipped with an automatic reloading system that allows a rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute. In particular, it has the mode of firing multiple rounds at different trajectories (MRSI) and hitting the target at the same time. PZH-2000 can fire NATO standard 155 mm shells, with a normal range of 30 km, 40 km with increased range shells. PZH-2000 is equipped with a modern fire control system with the ability to update target parameters via a data link system. The armored body can withstand 14.5 mm caliber bullets.


The United States and its European allies began to provide heavy weapons to Ukraine as the Russia-Ukraine conflict showed signs of heating up. The move was met with criticism from Russia. Moscow warned that any foreign weapons shipments into Ukraine could become a legitimate target of Russian attacks. Recently, Russia has stepped up attacks on the network of reinforcements to Ukraine, destroying Western arsenals shipped to Ukraine.

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