Czech self-propelled guns DITA for Ukraine
Promotional image of self-propelled gun DITA
Starting in the spring and summer of 2022, Kyiv partners transferred a large number of self-propelled artillery units of various types to the Kyiv regime. Over time, the pace of supply of such equipment has decreased, but foreign countries do not intend to abandon them. Thus, the other day it became known that the Netherlands, in order to help Ukraine, ordered several new DITA self-propelled guns from the Czech Republic. In the foreseeable future, these products should be sent to the recipient, and he will be able to form several artillery units from them.
Secret agreement
The Netherlands was one of the first to help the Kyiv regime with the supply of modern artillery. So, back in May-June 2022, they sent several German-made PzH 2000 self-propelled guns and various ammunition for them to Ukraine. As it now turns out, the assistance in restoring the artillery did not end there. A new agreement on international cooperation in the interests of Ukrainian forces was secretly prepared.
On February 27, 2024, the Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim, paid an official visit to the Czech company Excalibur Army. He got acquainted with the company's modern developments and assessed them. As a result of this visit, the Dutch Ministry of Defense published extremely interesting information.
It is reported that recently (without specifying the date) the Dutch military department ordered nine self-propelled howitzers of the latest DITA model from Excalibur Army. Upon completion of production, these products are planned to be sent to Ukraine as assistance to its ground forces. The timing of the planned delivery and other specifics of the agreement were not disclosed.
The Czech company organized for guests from the Netherlands an exhibition of modern and modernized products intended for shipment to Ukraine in the near future. The DITA self-propelled gun, a modified T-72 tank and other samples were demonstrated at the enterprise site.
During the visit, routine loud statements were made about the importance of assistance to the Kyiv regime and the need for its continuation. The Netherlands and the Czech Republic have been interacting productively with each other in the military-technical sphere for a long time, and they want to use the experience of cooperation to protect friendly Ukraine.
Mixed park
It should be recalled that the new Dita products will not be the first Czech self-propelled guns in service with Ukrainian artillery. Over the past few years, a fairly large fleet of self-propelled guns of various models has been created, manufactured or sold by Excalibur Army. Equipment of this family was purchased independently or received from foreign partners.
Back in 2020, the Kiev regime ordered 26 ShKH vz.77 DANA self-propelled guns with a 152 mm caliber gun from the Czech Republic. Deliveries of these vehicles took place already in 2022, after the start of the Russian Special Operation. At the beginning of 2023, the Czech Republic provided 13 more such machines as free assistance.
Driver's workplace in a protected cabin
In May 2022, foreign partners represented by several countries jointly ordered for Ukraine a batch of 8 newer SpGH Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns with 155 mm caliber guns. In October, another similar order appeared, now for 16 self-propelled guns. The first batch of the May order arrived in Ukraine at the beginning of 2023, and the second was later delivered. In the summer of 2023, the leadership of Slovakia mentioned another agreement for the supply of 16 Zuzana 2 products, but it soon became clear that they were referring to an already ongoing order for 16 self-propelled guns.
Thus, in total, more than 60 Czech-made self-propelled guns of two main types came to Ukraine. Several vehicles of both models were destroyed by the Russian army under certain circumstances using different types of weapons. 9 new DITA self-propelled guns will allow the Ukrainian artillery to partially compensate for the losses incurred. In addition, due to the novelty of such a self-propelled gun, one can count on some increase in combat capabilities.
latest model
The Excalibur Army company developed and presented a promising 155-mm self-propelled gun DITA in 2021. The project was completed with extensive use of ideas and solutions previously implemented in the DANA, Zuzana, etc. line of systems. At the same time, the key units of the system were radically rebuilt using modern devices, due to which it was possible to maintain or improve the main fire characteristics while reducing the crew to two people.
Like its predecessors, “Dita” is built on the basis of a four-axle Tatra chassis and receives a rotating turret with weapons. A vehicle with a front-mounted crew cabin is again used, in the center of which there is a platform for placing a gun turret and other units. The combat weight of the self-propelled gun is 29 tons. In terms of size, it differs minimally from other similar models. Length – approx. 13 m, width and height – approx. 3m.
Commander-operator post
The self-propelled gun is equipped with a Tatra T3C-928-90 engine with a power of 407 hp. There is also an auxiliary power unit to ensure the operation of all systems and units without turning on the main engine. The maximum speed on the highway is stated at 90 km/h, the range is 600 km.
The self-propelled gun received a full-size remote-controlled combat module carrying the main weapons. It was made in the form of a rotating turret of complex shape with bulletproof and anti-fragmentation armor. The module is equipped with an oscillating artillery unit with a 155-mm rifled gun with a length of 45 klb. The gun received a developed muzzle brake, recoil devices and automatic loading. The design of the module allows firing in a horizontal sector of 60° to the right and left of the longitudinal axis. Vertical aiming – from -3° to +70°. The turret stores hold 40 separate-loading rounds. The long barrel allows you to fire conventional projectiles at a range of 35 km and active-reactive guided projectiles at a range of 50 km.
The minimum crew of self-propelled guns consists of two people. They are located inside the cabin under the protection of bulletproof / anti-fragmentation armor. The commander-gunner has a remote control for complete control over the operation of the combat module. In addition, inside the turret there is an additional gunner's seat with the necessary controls. One of the artillery unit control panels can be removed and used outside the self-propelled guns.
DITA has a developed complex of on-board electronics. Thus, all mechanisms and assemblies operate under the control of the on-board control system. An automated fire control system is provided. In manual or automatic mode, it receives target designation, calculates data for firing, aims the gun and opens fire. There are different shooting modes, incl. “fire raid” is standard for modern self-propelled guns.
Mechanized magazine for shells
Doubtful prospects
From the point of view of its technical appearance and declared characteristics, the Dita self-propelled gun from Excalibur Army looks like a modern and interesting combat vehicle with great potential and wide fire capabilities. At the same time, during combat use such equipment may encounter a number of negative factors and risks. As practice shows, the latter scenario is practically guaranteed for any foreign equipment entering Ukraine.
The strengths of the DITA product include high mobility and maneuverability, as well as the relative ease of chassis maintenance. The artillery unit is fully automated, which improves its performance, and the extended 45-caliber barrel increases the firing range.
"Dita" also has its drawbacks. Thus, the wheeled chassis demonstrates its advantages only on a good road. Off-road and rough terrain may be impassable for it. Ukrainian formations have already demonstrated such problems with foreign technology. In addition, the imported model requires specific maintenance and certain spare parts. There are no guarantees that the Dutch-Czech agreement provides for the full supply of Ukrainian artillerymen with everything necessary.
An automated weapon station may be overly complex for use in full-scale combat operations. Moreover, any breakdown puts the self-propelled gun out of action for an indefinite period, and there is no possibility of full maintenance and use in manual mode.
Increasing the firing range reduces the risks for self-propelled guns. However, in current hostilities there are additional risks that offset such benefits. Regardless of the declared range, DITA and other self-propelled guns fall into the zone of responsibility and destruction of attack UAVs of various classes and types. Modern MLRS and various guided weapons also pose a great threat.
Finally, the Dutch contract provides for the supply of only nine self-propelled guns. Such a number of DITA products will make it possible to equip only a few fire platoons from one battery. It is unlikely that such a unit will be able to significantly influence the capabilities of Ukrainian artillery. In addition, a small amount of equipment will contribute to the faster destruction of such a fleet.
Advertising site
The promising 155-mm self-propelled howitzer DITA was first presented in 2021. A prototype of such a vehicle was repeatedly shown at various exhibitions, but potential customers were not interested in this self-propelled gun. The first contract for “Dita” appeared only recently and turned out to be very unusual. The starting customer was the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, and it is buying only 9 self-propelled guns and not for itself, but for the armed formations of the Kyiv regime.
It is quite possible that the first contract for new Czech self-propelled guns appeared not only in connection with the desire to help Ukraine. The Netherlands and the Czech Republic have a long history of cooperation in the military-technical field, and such an order can be considered as a kind of advertising for the DITA product. Whether the Ukrainian side will be able to successfully continue this “advertising campaign” is a big question.
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