First upgraded PzH2000 howitzers delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces

On December 14 first two upgraded heavy self-propelled artillery systems, PzH2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) howitzers bought from the German Armed Forces were delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion.

“A modern military conflict, as we can see from the military actions in Ukraine and other hotspots, efficient artillery is one of the most important pillars of defence, which is also of deterrence. These fully upgraded, armoured, heavy tracked self-propelled howitzers will doubtlessly enhance defensive capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces – they are still the highest standard in indirect artillery to date,” Vice Minister of National Defence Giedrimas Jeglinskas says.

The howitzers delivered to the Artillery Battalion have been bought from the German Federal Armed Forces on the basis of the contract signed in September 2015. In total, 18 upgraded howitzers of combat setup will be delivered to Lithuania as agreed by the contract.

According to Lt Col M. Jonelis, the PzH2000 heavy self-propelled artillery systems have all howitzer control battlefield control, and fire control software upgraded.

The new equipment will increase the effective fire range of the Gen R.Giedratis Battalion based in Rukla. Before the current procurement, the most powerful equipment the Battalion is armed with was the 105 mm howitzers with effective fire range of roughly 11 kilometres. The new equipment has increased the Battalion’s effective fire range to 40 kilometres.

All the remaining upgraded howitzers are planned to be delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces by the end of 2019.