SAU Zuzana 2 for Ukraine
Sending the first batch of Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns to Ukraine, August 2022. Photo by Telegram / BMPD
Slovakia continues deliveries of self-propelled artillery to Ukraine. Last year and at the beginning of this year, it already sent several modern Zuzana2 self-propelled howitzers to the Kyiv regime, and two more vehicles of this type were handed over the other day. The last “batch” is interesting because it is being built from scratch according to a Ukrainian order received just a few months ago.
Contracts and deliveries
The Kiev regime has long been interested in self-propelled artillery of the Czechoslovak/Slovak type. So, back in November 2020, foreign media reported on the signing of a contract with a Czech commercial contractor for the supply of 26 Dana self-propelled guns of the old production with a total value of 34 million euros. Deliveries of this equipment, as far as is known, began in 2021-22.
In April 2022, the Slovak media reported that the country's military department was negotiating with Kiev for the supply of 155-mm Zuzana self-propelled howitzers. The technique of one or another modification could be taken from the presence of its own army. At the same time, it was noted that the self-propelled guns would not be given away for free - they were going to sell it, even if without an extra charge.
In early June, the Slovak Ministry of Defense officially announced the signing of a contract for the supply of self-propelled guns. It was planned to transfer eight machines of the Zuzana 2 modification, and their shipment could begin in the coming weeks or months. This promise was fulfilled, and in early August, the first four self-propelled guns came to Ukraine. Soon there were videos from the training ground, where the Ukrainian crews learned to use foreign equipment.
The first cars of the new construction, August 1, 2023. Photo by Konštrukta-Defense
According to reports, during the development and start of operation, shortcomings and defects in the design of the wheeled chassis were revealed. Four self-propelled guns were returned to Slovakia for repair and improvement. Not later than the end of September, they were again sent to Ukraine. Shortly thereafter, in October, two more self-propelled guns were handed over to the Kyiv regime. The seventh and eighth were shipped in November and January.
Of interest is the origin of the equipment transferred to Ukraine. These machines were originally built for the Slovak army, but then the plans changed. Thus, in 2018, the Slovak armed forces issued a contract to Konštrukta-Defense and ZTS-Špeciál for the supply of 25 new-built Zuzana-2 products with a total value of 175 million euros. In 2021, the customer received two batches of 8 self-propelled guns each. The remaining 9 units. expected next year 2022
In the spring of last year, the Slovak government decided not to take this equipment into service, but to cede it to Ukraine. Eight out of nine self-propelled guns directly from the factory and the test site were to go abroad. Thus, the number of own Slovak fleet of self-propelled guns Zuzana 2 is still limited to 17 units, but the country has provided assistance to a friendly regime.
Second batch
While the assembly of a batch of eight self-propelled guns was being completed, a new contract was being prepared for the supply of such equipment. In early October, Slovakia, Germany, Denmark and Norway agreed to build and send another batch of Zuzan-2 to Ukraine.
Slovak self-propelled guns at the training ground, August 2022. Photo by Telegram / BMPD
Under the terms of the signed agreement, Slovakia, represented by Konštrukta-Defense and ZTS-Špeciál, must build and ship eight additional Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns to Ukraine. The cost of this equipment will be $ 92 million. Slovakia is unable to provide self-propelled guns for free, and Ukraine cannot buy them . Therefore, the order is paid by Germany, Denmark and Norway - they decided to share the total cost equally.
Slovak contractors have completed part of the order and are ready to start deliveries of equipment. So, on August 1, the first two self-propelled guns of the new batch were handed over to the Kyiv regime at the manufacturing plant. Delivery dates for the remaining six vehicles have not yet been announced. They will probably be handed over no later than the first months of 2024.
As a result of these deliveries, the total number of Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns transferred to Ukraine will reach 16 units. and will be comparable to the park of the Slovak army. In addition, a certain number of Dana self-propelled guns received from Czech merchants still remain in stock.
On the battlefield
Not later than the summer-autumn of last year, the Kiev regime received the old Czechoslovak Dana self-propelled guns and the newer Zuzana 2 modern Slovak production. Taking into account the recent delivery, about 30-35 units were sent to Ukraine. such a technique. However, she still practically does not appear at the front and almost does not participate in battles.
In August 2022, a video from the training ground appeared on Ukrainian resources, showing the preparation of calculations for Slovak self-propelled guns. Later, in the fall, videos allegedly from the war zone were published. In addition, Ukrainian fighters willingly took pictures against the backdrop of foreign cars. However, information about the systematic and full-fledged combat work of "Zuzan" or "Dan" is not yet available. In particular, such a technique has not yet been used in the advertised counteroffensive.
Evacuation of the burnt Zuzana / Dana, November 2022. Photo by Telegram / "Corner of the Sith"
However, Czechoslovak / Slovak self-propelled guns still appear in the combat zone - with a natural result. It is known about the destruction of at least two such self-propelled guns. One was burned in November in the Zaporozhye direction. Ukrainian formations evacuated the burnt remains of this car and took it away in an unknown direction. Another knocked out Dana or Zuzana 2 was seen in February.
In general, one gets the impression that the Ukrainian command, for some reason, protects the Dana and Zuzana-2, which is why they use them little and rarely, preferring other self-propelled systems. On the other hand, this approach makes it possible to save valuable foreign equipment and reduce its losses in the current unfavorable situation.
Technical potential
The Zuzana 2 product is another representative of a rather old family of Czechoslovak / Slovak self-propelled guns, combining increased mobility and high firepower. The self-propelled gun is built on the basis of a unified four-axle Tatra 815 chassis and is equipped with a turret with a caliber gun and related equipment. The vehicle is operated by a crew of four - a commander, a gunner and two loaders who remotely control ammunition supply systems.
All Zuzana variants receive a 155mm rifled howitzer. In the case of the Zuzana 2, a gun with a barrel length of 52 klb and a muzzle brake was used. An automatic loader is installed in the fighting compartment, giving a maximum rate of fire of 5 rds / min. and settled at least 4 rds / min. The tower provides horizontal guidance within 60 ° to the right and left of the axis of the machine; the oscillating part moves from -3,5° to +75°. A modern high-speed fire control system was used.
Unlike previous similar self-propelled guns, Zuzana uses 155-mm artillery rounds of NATO standards. The turret stowage holds 40 shells and charges of separate loading. The range and accuracy of fire depends on the type of projectile. When using simple high-explosive fragmentation, a range of no more than 30-35 km is achieved. For active-reactive and controlled, depending on the type, up to 50 km are declared.
Another shot down Slovak-made self-propelled guns, February 2023. Photo by Telegram / Dambiev
In the stowed position, the length of the self-propelled guns reaches 14,2 m, the combat weight is 33,8 tons. On the highway, the vehicle accelerates to 90 km / h and has a cruising range of 600 km. The all-wheel drive chassis gives good mobility both on the highway and off-road. At the same time, it is obviously inferior to tracked vehicles.
Technique and its prospects
By now, the Kiev regime could receive from abroad several dozen self-propelled howitzers of the Czechoslovak / Slovak type, combining sufficient fire characteristics and high mobility. For some reason, such equipment is used to a limited extent - unlike other foreign cars. At the same time, despite such “frugality”, Dana and Zuzana 2 products are already suffering losses.
However, a number of such combat vehicles should still remain in service, and more are expected to arrive in the coming months. Probably, the Ukrainian command is going to use mobile self-propelled guns in future operations, where their positive qualities can come in handy. However, one should not count on success. Despite all the efforts of foreign partners, the number of such self-propelled guns in service with Ukraine remains small, and the Russian army has a whole range of means to reduce it.
The current situation with the Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns has an interesting feature. Last year, Slovakia began building a new batch of self-propelled guns specifically for Ukraine with foreign money. This indicates its inability to continue deliveries of machines from stock. It also demonstrates the limited potential of the industry. Deployed and operating production lines were able to produce the first products only 10 months after receiving the order. The remaining six machines will require several more months of work.
Thus, as a result of the systematic work of the Russian army, the state of the Ukrainian artillery is deteriorating every day. There are no own opportunities to restore the gun fleet, and the potential of foreign assistance is limited. Foreign partners and patrons have to launch the production of new products specifically for Ukraine. But the pace and cost of producing new products do not meet the needs of the Kyiv regime.
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