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Ready for India
Krauss Maffei Wegmann offers an attractive artillery system
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The German Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the makers of the Leopard battle tank is optimist about entering the Indian defence market with its three products: PzH 2000 self propelled howitzers, DINGO armoured protection vehicle, and a new Artillery Gun Module (AGM). With the RFP released in April for self propelled guns by the Indian Army, the focus obviously is on the PzH 2000 SP howitzer which is amongst the companies poised for the evaluation.
The PzH 2000 is a German 155mm self-propelled howitzer for the German Army. The howitzer is claimed to be one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently deployed in action. The most notable feature of the gun is its high rate of fire. “In burst mode it can fire three rounds in nine seconds, 10 rounds in 56 seconds, and can fire between 10 rounds per minute continuously, depending on barrel heating, the replenishment of shells is automated,” said a senior KMW official. During firing, two operators can load 60 shells and propelling charges in less than 11 minutes.
The 155mm 52-calibre gun of the PzH 2000 is chromium-lined for its entire eight metre length and includes a muzzle brake on the end. The gun uses a new standardised charge system with six different charges, which can be combined to provide exactly the power needed and no more. Primer is loaded separately via a conveyor belt, and the entire loading, laying and clearing is completely automated. The maximum range of the gun is 30km with the standard L15A2 round, about 35km with base bleed rounds and around 40km with assisted projectiles. KMW officials’ claim that the gun can reach longer ranges and during trials in April 2006, a PzH 2000 shot assisted shells over a distance of 56km. KMW officials say that the gun can benefit the experience that the company has gained working on the Leopard 1 tank. According to KMW, the system has superb cross-country performance and considerable protection in the case of counter-fire. The turret includes phased-array radar on the front for monitoring outgoing rounds and correcting for wind.
The company claims that the major selling point for the gun is its ability to provide accurate fire at 40km. The Phz2000 is operated by a crew of five personnel which includes a commander, gunner and driver each along with two loaders. The gun has been used extensively by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the Afghanistan operations by the ISAF. The gun is known as the long arm of the ISAF in there. PzH 2000 has been selected by the armies of Italy, Netherlands and Greece, and the company has received various requests for information from countries looking out for replacing their old howitzers.
KMW is planning to offer the DINGO armoured protection vehicle also to the Indian army. The DINGO 2 is claimed by the KMW to be the most secure and best protected wheeled vehicle of its class. KMW says that with the outstanding protection level and the state-of-the-art equipment allow DINGO to be deployed for most varied missions in all types of terrains. “Forces involved in military and humanitarian missions can rely on the mobility and the protection provided by the DINGO 2,” said a senior KMW official. KMW officials say that the all protected armoured truck is designed to withstand land mines, rifle fire, artillery fragments and is capable of working in nuclear, biological and chemical threat environment. The DINGO 2 can seat eight fully geared personnel offering improved protection and additional load carrying capability. The Dingo is offered in two versions with 3.5 tonnes and 3.8 tonnes wheelbase. Dingo's armament includes a remote controlled 7.62mm machine gun turret. The 7.62mm machine gun can be replaced by a heavy caliber machine gun or grenade launcher. DINGO 2 can be used for mounting ground surveillance radars also.
While these two products are certainly impressive, FORCE found the underplayed AGM, a new autonomous, module representing a new system of indirect fire support with 155mm/52 calibre, extremely impressive. While the AGM is at an advanced development stage and awaits operational clearance, it has two strong features: it can be transported easily and has a nearly 60km range. All this makes it an attractive weapon system for the Indian Army.
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