ACS PzH 2000 for Ukraine. Now from the Netherlands
PzH 2000NL of the Netherlands Army
Not so long ago, information appeared in the foreign press about the possible transfer of PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery mounts to the Ukrainian army. Germany could provide equipment of this type. However, it soon became clear that the German army was not going to give up their armored vehicles. At the same time, another possible supplier was found. According to recent reports, it could be the Netherlands.
First try
On the upcoming delivery of Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled guns to Ukraine on April 9, the German edition of Welt Am Sonntag reported. From unnamed sources, it learned that the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann offered the Ukrainian leadership to purchase 100 self-propelled guns. Ukraine showed interest in such a proposal and sent a corresponding request to the German Ministry of Economics.
It was alleged that Kyiv was offered to purchase a hundred PzH 2000 products, along with spare parts, training services, etc. The total cost of such "aid" was estimated at 1,7 billion euros. At the same time, the start of deliveries was delayed for 30 months - the first batches of equipment and spare parts could arrive in Ukraine only in the fall of 2024.
However, such news have not received official confirmation. In the following days, German officials repeatedly talked about this or that assistance for Ukraine, but never once mentioned self-propelled guns. Moreover, some statements can be considered as a veiled or even explicit refusal to supply the PzH 2000 and some other classes of vehicles.
So, on April 20, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock announced that the German government approved the transfer of some armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army. However, Germany does not have any machines that could be transferred immediately. At the same time, the German side is ready to support third countries that will supply equipment to Ukraine from the presence of their armies.
Also, the Bundeswehr does not have the ability to send artillery systems to Ukrainian colleagues. At the same time, A. Burbock pointed out that German assistance in this area would be limited only to the preparation of Ukrainian crews and maintenance of their weapons.
Thus, the news about the possible transfer or sale of the PzH 2000 self-propelled guns from the presence of the Bundeswehr did not reflect the real situation. Germany has a fundamental opportunity to share such equipment, but is not going to use it. Due to this, Berlin protects itself from possible political consequences, and its army from a reduction in the active fleet of armored vehicles.
According to new data
On April 20, the American news agency Bloomberg published new data on the possible deliveries of PzH 2000 to Ukraine. From an unnamed source in the German government, it learned that Germany had found a way to help Kyiv and keep its armored vehicles in service. To do this, it is proposed to involve a third party. At the time of the appearance of such news, negotiations were underway between the participants in this scheme.
It is reported that the PzH 2000 self-propelled guns to help Ukraine will be allocated not by the Bundeswehr, but by the armed forces of the Netherlands. In this case, Germany will not stand aside. It will provide a large amount of ammunition, as well as organize training for Ukrainian crews. The educational process will be carried out on the territory of Germany or Poland - the use of Ukrainian bases is excluded due to unacceptable risks.
Other details of the scheme involving Germany, the Netherlands and Ukraine are not specified. In particular, the number of self-propelled guns for transfer, the timing of their appearance on Ukrainian territory, the financial and commercial aspects of the agreement, etc. are unknown.
Aid volumes
The armed forces of the Netherlands are now being considered as a possible supplier of PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine. In theory, they are able to allocate a certain number of combat vehicles for help. However, for objective reasons, such assistance will be limited both in quantitative and qualitative terms.
The Netherlands began purchasing PzH 2000 self-propelled guns at the beginning of the 2002s. In 2004, an agreement was signed for the supply of equipment, and in 2000 the manufacturer shipped the first batch. Under the terms of the agreement, these were new self-propelled guns in a slightly modified form, this version of the machine is sometimes referred to as the PzH 2009NL. Deliveries continued until 57, and in total the Dutch army received XNUMX combat vehicles and a corresponding amount of support equipment.
The resulting equipment was mastered and actively used in exercises and at training grounds. However, later PzH 2000, along with other equipment, fell under the reduction provided for by the next reform of the armed forces. Less than half of the available self-propelled guns were left in operation, and the rest were put into reserve.
At the moment, the army of the Netherlands has only one artillery unit - the 41st artillery battalion. It consists of four batteries, three of which are equipped with self-propelled PzH 2000. Two batteries retain their staff with nine vehicles each. The third is reduced to 6 units, but it is reported that it can be increased to normal numbers. Two more armored vehicles are used as training.
Thus, at the moment, 26 PzH 2000 self-propelled guns out of 57 received are in operation. In the near future, their number may increase to 29. Accordingly, there are 31 self-propelled guns in storage with the prospect of reducing to 28. Such a reserve can be used to provide assistance to Ukraine. Sending equipment from storage will allow you to solve urgent political problems, but at the same time not leave your army without the necessary armored vehicles.
Doubtful prospects
The potential supplier of the PzH 2000 self-propelled guns for Ukraine has changed, but this will not fundamentally change the prospects for such military-technical assistance. Regardless of the sending country, the transfer of armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army faces a number of difficulties and threats that drastically reduce its potential.
First of all, the real amount of equipment that can be transferred is questionable. There are three dozen self-propelled guns in the reserve of the Netherlands, and not all of them can be of help to Ukraine. At the same time, even 31 armored vehicles are unlikely to significantly affect the course of battles and the situation as a whole. With the transfer of a smaller number of self-propelled guns, the effect of deliveries will be even lower.
Germany is ready to organize crew training, but this process will take at least several months. The Kyiv regime simply does not have such a margin of time, and trained crews will not have time to get to the front in time. In theory, this problem can be solved by transferring equipment along with foreign crews, but this leads to political and military risks.
The next problem is the risk of losing equipment. Self-propelled guns can easily be delivered to the Ukrainian border, but after crossing it, they can be destroyed at any time. Only the luckiest vehicles will make it to the war zone. How long they will be able to participate in the battles is unclear. Apparently, they will become a priority target and will also be quickly hit or become a trophy for the advancing troops.
Useless plans
In terms of performance and operational characteristics, the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer is considered one of the best modern examples in its class. In this regard, such equipment is of great interest to the Ukrainian army, and foreign countries are ready to help with its production. Previously, it was about the supply of equipment from Germany, and now the Netherlands is ready to act as a supplier.
However, the replacement of the supplier country will not affect the overall situation in any way. Ukraine, having received the most modern foreign self-propelled guns, simply will not be able to use the full potential of such equipment due to a lack of its own competencies, due to the superiority of the enemy, etc. Is it worth the Netherlands to give its serviceable equipment to such an “ally” is a big question.
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