On April 17 nearly two weeks of testing the first upgraded PzH2000 self-propelled artillery systems culminated in a live fire event at General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė. The exercise was the first time soldiers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion live-fired the artillery systems received in the end of last year and in the beginning of this year.
During testing the practising soldiers executed real firing with antipersonnel ammunition at fixe targets. The event took place during the light part of the day and the longest firing range was 12 kilometres (for comparison, the maximal firing range of PzH2000 is over 30 kilometres). Shells of M-50 field artillery guns could destroy targets at the farthest distance of 11 kilometres until now.
"We have followed the procedures when testing the new equipment but the conditions were not easy, the firing pace was intense but hits were accurate and the final results meet our expectations. The General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion is on the track of becoming the strongest firepower battalion in the Lithuanian Armed Forces," Battalion Commander Col Lt Marijus Jonelis said after the training.
The exercise site was visited by Land Force Commander Maj Gen Valdemaras Rupšys and Commander of the Mechanised infantry Brigade Iron Wolf Col Mindaugas Steponavičius who familiarised with the PzH2000 self-propelled artillery system project in more detail and observed the live-firing.
The 155 mm PZH 2000 self-propelled howitzer is one of the most modern howitzers in series production worldwide. The field artillery system was first produced in Germany in 1999. Currently it is used by the armed forces of Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Qatar, and Lithuania. Lithuanian soldiers have already attended a range of courses and meetings with German experts who shared their experience both in Lithuania and at the Artillery School in Germany. Having acquired experience in using the PzH2000 systems in Germany, Lithuanian soldiers are now transferring it to their colleagues at home.
POC: Corporal Vaiga Zalatoriūtė, +370 61606402, vaiga.zalatoriute@mil.lt
Photo credits: Cpl V. Zalatoriūtė
