Czech-made Dana M2 152mm self-propelled howitzer spotted on Ukrainian battlefield

As reported by Praise the Steph on December 6, 2023, the Ukrainian 56th Separate Motorized Mariupol Brigade has been observed deploying and utilizing the Czech Dana M2 152mm self-propelled howitzer, manufactured by Excalibur Army. This marks the first known use of the Dana M2 in combat, suggesting a new phase in the military capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces.
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The Czech Republic will deliver to Ukraine a total of 26 Dana M2 152mm self-propelled howitzers and several thousand DN1CZ Extended Range (ER) 152mm artillery shells, with a range of up to 25.5 km. (Picture source: Twitter/Praise the Steph, and Army Recognition)

It is reported that the Czech Republic will deliver to Ukraine a total of 26 Dana M2 self-propelled howitzers and several thousand DN1CZ Extended Range (ER) 152mm artillery shells, which can be fired at an extended range of up to 25.5 km. The DN1CZ ER round is primarily designed to be used with the Dana model 77, Dana M1, and Dana M2 152mm self-propelled howitzers without modification. It consists of a separate loading munition, including the 152 mm OFdDV (HE ER BB) projectile and the propelling charge P740.

The Dana M2 is the latest iteration in the Dana family of wheeled self-propelled howitzers, developed in the late 1970s to fulfill the operational needs of the Czech Army for a highly mobile artillery system. The vehicle is based on the Tatra 815 8x8 military truck chassis, featuring a driver's compartment at the front, a fully enclosed turret in the center, and the engine compartment at the rear. The turret is divided into gunner and loader operator sections on the left, and an ammunition handler on the right.

Distinguished by a modernized crew cabin, the Dana M2 is equipped with a modern Onboard Control System incorporating diagnostics, navigation, automatic gun aiming, computerized firing control elements, and ammunition selection subsystems. The automatic guiding system facilitates rapid and fully automatic adjustment of the weapon into the firing position, allowing for a sustained rate of fire of 4 rounds per minute.

Armed with a 152mm howitzer capable of a maximum firing range of 20 km (extendable to 25.5 km with DN1CZ ammunition), the Dana M2 is equipped with a fully automatic system for loading projectiles and charges, with a capacity for 40 ready-to-fire ammunition. The vehicle is also equipped with a secondary 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun.

The vehicle is powered by a Tatra T-3-930-52M V12 Diesel engine generating 355 hp, allowing a cruising range of 600 km, a top speed of 90 km/h on-road, and 25 km/h off-road. The Czech 152mm self-propelled howitzer weighs 30.2 tons and has dimensions of 11.5m in length, 3m in width, and 3.35m in height.

Meeting STANAG 4569 Level I standards for ballistic protection, the Dana M2 ensures basic crew protection for a crew of five members, who benefit from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) filtration system.

The Czech-made Dana M2 152mm self-propelled howitzer, manufactured by Excalibur Army, was displayed at the MSPO 2018 exhibition. (Picture source: Army Recognition)