Ukraine receives 26 advanced howitzers from Czechia

The Czech Republic has bolstered Ukraine's defense forces by adding 26 Dana-M2 self-propelled artillery units to their arsenal, ArmyInform reported. The Dana-M2 is an upgraded version of the wheeled gun Dan-VZ77. These self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) are equipped with a 152 mm caliber gun and come with special shells capable of firing up to a range of 25 km. Notably, one of the received SPHs featured in the New Year’s greeting on the Facebook page of the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Mariupol Brigade. Ukraine has developed its own production of 152 mm caliber ammunition, which is compatible with the Soviet-era 2S1 Akatsiya and 2S3 Akatsiya SPHs in its inventory. This domestic production ensures a steady supply of ammo for these artillery units. The Dana-M2 boasts impressive capabilities, including a firing range of up to 18.7 km with standard shells and up to 25 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. Its rapid-fire rate can reach up to 5 shots per minute, and has a magazine capacity of 50 rounds. Each unit is manned by a crew of five. Mounted on a Tatra chassis with an 8x8 wheel formula, the Dana-M2 is powered by a Tatra engine paired with a 5-speed transmission. Its off-road top speed is 25 km/h, while it can reach up to 90 km/h on roads. Developed in the late 1970s in former Czechoslovakia, the Dana self-propelled artillery unit is a testament to enduring military engineering. The units provided to Ukraine are new and have not been previously used. They have been upgraded with new cabins and fire control systems. Defense Express reported that the first appearance of the DANA-M2 in the Ukrainian Armed Forces was known as early as April 2022, but details were not disclosed then for security reasons. The recent publication by ArmyInform is the first official confirmation of these artillery units in Ukrainian forces, revealing the number of DANA-M2s delivered. Read also:

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