Germany Enhances Ukraine’s Artillery Capabilities with Delivery of Three Additional Zuzana 2 Howitzers.

On May 6, 2025, the German Ministry of Defense publicly confirmed the delivery of three additional Zuzana 2 wheeled self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, reinforcing Kyiv’s long-range artillery arsenal in its ongoing defense against Russian military invasion. This latest shipment raises the total number of Zuzana 2 howitzers supplied by Germany to nine units, under a trilateral procurement agreement also involving Denmark and Norway.
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Zuzana 2 howitzer operated by Ukrainian soldiers, providing long-range fire support in frontline engagements. (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

This delivery of Zuzana 2 howitzers by Germany is part of a landmark European military aid initiative launched in 2022, designed to provide Ukraine with advanced artillery systems that comply with NATO standards. As part of this initiative, Germany, Denmark, and Norway jointly financed the purchase of 16 Zuzana 2 howitzers from Slovak defense manufacturer Konstrukta Defence, facilitating both urgent battlefield deliveries and support to Slovakia's defense industry.

The Zuzana 2 is based on a Tatra T815-7 8x8 high-mobility wheeled chassis, a robust and battle-proven platform developed by Czech manufacturer Tatra Trucks. Renowned for its durability and excellent cross-country mobility, the T815-7 chassis ensures that the Zuzana 2 can operate efficiently in various terrain conditions—from paved roads to muddy fields and rugged combat zones. Its 8x8 drive configuration provides superior traction and load distribution, while the design supports long-range travel without the need for heavy transporters. This high level of mobility is crucial for Ukrainian artillery units, enabling rapid repositioning, fast deployment, and swift withdrawal after firing missions, key features for surviving modern counter-battery threats.

The Zuzana 2 is armed with a 155mm L/52 caliber gun, designed in accordance with NATO standards and capable of delivering devastating firepower at long range. The gun can engage targets at over 40 kilometers when using extended-range ammunition. The system is equipped with an automatic loading and ammunition handling mechanism, allowing a sustained high rate of fire with minimal crew input. It supports multiple round simultaneous impact (MRSI) capabilities, delivering several shells on a target at once for maximum effect. The howitzer’s fully automated turret, modern fire control system, and armored crew compartment enable operations in high-risk environments while keeping personnel protected. Onboard ammunition storage accommodates up to 40 projectiles, and the integration of GPS and inertial navigation systems ensures precise targeting even under GPS-denied conditions.

This delivery exemplifies not only Germany’s logistical and political commitment to Ukraine but also a broader strategy of European defense collaboration. By leveraging the industrial capabilities of Slovakia, and financing through a tri-nation coalition, this initiative ensures Ukraine receives high-quality equipment while supporting allied defense industries.

For the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Zuzana 2 howitzer represents a strategic asset in countering Russia’s extensive use of long-range artillery. Since the start of the conflict, Russian forces have relied heavily on massed fires from protected positions, often beyond the reach of Ukraine’s legacy systems. The Zuzana 2’s extended range and precision capabilities provide Ukraine with a credible response through counter-battery fire, deep-strike operations, and suppression of enemy artillery. Its mobility makes it ideally suited for shoot-and-scoot tactics, allowing rapid redeployment after each fire mission, thereby minimizing exposure to enemy surveillance and retaliation.

Ukrainian military officials have underscored the vital importance of such Western-supplied artillery systems in disrupting Russian logistics hubs, command centers, and artillery positions. With nine Zuzana 2 systems now deployed across its artillery formations, Ukraine can project power more effectively across contested regions, especially along the eastern and southern frontlines where long-range engagements are most intense.

As the war in Ukraine continues into a prolonged phase of attrition, systems like the Zuzana 2 will be essential in helping Ukraine maintain tactical initiative and operational endurance. Germany’s continued deliveries are not merely acts of support—they are instrumental in enabling Ukraine’s armed forces to meet the demands of 21st-century warfare.