Italy delivers to Ukraine five PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

According to information published by the Italian newspaper "Il Mattino" website on June 29, 2022, PzH 2000 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers donated by Italy coming from the Italian army military inventory would be on their way to Ukraine.
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Italian army PzH 2000 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source Wikimedia)

Citing information from the "Il Mattino", the Italian police would have stopped three trucks transporting PzH 2000 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers came from the military base of Persano. The convoy included a total of 5 trucks each carrying one PzH 2000 howitzer, three of the trucks did not have the authorization to transport military equipment, and only two trucks were able to continue their way towards Germany in the direction of Ukraine.

Italy would then be the 3rd NATO country to supply PzH 2000 155mm howitzers to Ukraine after the Netherlands and Germany. Indeed, in May 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that Netherlands and Germany approved the delivery of 12 PzH 2000, 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. The Netherlands has provided five examples to Ukraine while Germany has supplied seven. On June 29, 2022, the German Defense Minister Lambrechts announced a new delivery of six additional PzH 2000 howitzers to Ukraine.

On April 27, 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that Italy considered different options for delivering arms to Ukraine including 155mm artillery howitzers PzH 2000, M109L, as well as Sidam 25, tracked air defense armored vehicles, M113A1 and VCC-1 tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) vehicles, Iveco VM90 and LMV 4x4 light tactical vehicles.

Citing a military source, the Italian army has a total of 69 PzH 2000. The donation of 5 howitzers to Ukraine would not jeopardize the operational capabilities of the Italian army.

The PzH 2000 155mm howitzer is the backbone of the artillery power of the Italian army. The artillery vehicle entered into service with the Italian army in 2002. A German / Italian co-production program with Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara provided the 69 artillery vehicles for the Italian Army.

The PzH 2000 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed, developed, and manufactured by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with Rheinmetall Defence. The main armament consists of a Rheinmetall 155mm 52 cal. gun with a chromium-plated barrel and semi-automatic lifting breech block with an integrated 32-round standard primer magazine. It has a maximum firing range of 30 km with standard projectiles and up to 40km with assisted projectiles.