The main contractor for the production of 22 self-propelled howitzers 2000 (PzH 2000), Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the German branch of the KNDS holding company, has commissioned the Rheinmetall Weapon and Ammunition and Vehicle Systems divisions to produce weapon systems and chassis. Rheinmetall states the order volume is 135 million euros.
Rheinmetall supplies the L52 weapons systems in the NATO standard caliber 155mm for the self-propelled howitzers. The company is considered a technology leader for 155mm artillery weapons. Rheinmetall is the world leader in gun barrels and the associated ammunition technology - for example the 120mm smoothbore cannon for battle tanks - writes the company.
After handing over 14 PzH 2000 from army stocks to the Ukraine in June and September 2022, the Bundeswehr concluded a framework agreement with KMW for 28 PzH 2000 in March 2023. Initially only ten weapon systems could be accessed (ESUT reported). Only after eight PzH 2000 had been retired could a further twelve howitzers be called up in May 2023 (ESUT reported). All equipment is financed from the special fund.
The howitzers of the first batch of ten will be delivered in the period 2025/2026. The other lots of six pieces each follow. Delivery is expected between 2027 and 2029.
Editorial staff / gwh
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