Rheinmetall has been contracted by KNDS Germany to manufacture 22 undercarriages and weapon systems for PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers PzH 2000, the company announced on 2 April 2024.
The contract, worth around EUR 135 million, covers the supply of 22 155 mm L52 gun systems and a similar number of PzH 2000 chassis for the German Bundeswehr via Rheinmetall’s Weapon and Ammunition and Vehicle Systems Europe divisions.
Following a final system integration and commissioning at Rheinmetall in Unterluess, the first of these artillery systems are to be delivered to the Bundeswehr in the summer of 2025.
“This contract emphasises Rheinmetall’s expertise as a technology leader for 155 mm artillery weapons as well as a high-performing partner in tracked vehicle construction,” the company stated in a press release.
“This contract furthermore underlines the Bundeswehr’s continued trust in the quality and reliability of the PzH 2000,” the company added.
The PzH 2000 SPH, continuously modernised since its development in the 1980s/1990s, is known for its excellent mobility, long-range firepower and protection, Rheinmetall added, noting that the system is being used effectively by the Ukrainian armed forces against the invading forces of Russia.
The Bundeswehr operates 185 PzH 2000s and has 22 on order (hence the above contract to Rheinmetall), while Germany has donated 14 PzH 2000s to Ukraine from Bundeswehr stocks.
In February 2024 Germany announced that an additional 18 PzH 2000s would be delivered to Ukraine from industrial stocks in 2026 and 2027.
