Flaming Sunrise 25: The 52nd Torino in action with the PZH2000
The 52nd 'Torino' Land Artillery Regiment, on PZH2000, recently carried out the Flaming Sunrise 25 exercise in the military compound of Persano, a strategic area in Campania, near the Sele River. This training was designed with the objective of achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the 2nd Obici Battery, one of the Regiment's leading units. Brigadier General Gianluca Figus, Commander of the Army Artillery, participated as an observer in the activity, expressing his appreciation for the commitment and progress of the Regiment's personnel.
The main focus of the exercise was on improving operational capabilities in the field of fire, with particular attention to the use of the PZH2000 self-propelled vehicle, and the coordination of firing operations. The exercise involved the Command Post of the 1st Artillery Group, a battery of howitzers and the Joint Fire Support Teams, engaged in activities both on the plains and in the mountains, such as the march to the summit of Monte Panormo, at an altitude of 1700 metres.
The self-propelled PZH2000 and its importance in training
The PZH2000, the heart of the 52nd Regiment's modern artillery, is a self-propelled 155/52 mm howitzer produced in cooperation between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall, and is one of the most advanced weapon systems in service in the Italian armed forces. The howitzer replaced the M109L between 2008 and 2012 and is distinguished by an extremely sophisticated fire control system that integrates a ballistic calculator, inertial navigator and GPS. The rate of fire is astonishing, with the ability to launch 3 rounds in 10 seconds, or 20 rounds in 3 minutes, guaranteeing accuracy and lethality.
Its range varies from 5 to 70 km, and the PZH2000 is compatible with 155 mm NATO ammunition, including the VULCANO guided munition produced by Leonardo, which further improves the accuracy and range of the system. The Italian PZH2000 fleet is currently undergoing a modernisation process to extend its operational life until 2050, with work on electronics, crew protection and ammunition management to keep the system up to date with modern threats.
The future of artillery: modernisation and interoperability
The modernisation programme of the Italian Army's PZH2000 self-propelled howitzer, which will start in 2025, is part of a context of continuous evolution of artillery capabilities. The programme envisages a technological upgrade to overcome obsolescence and increase mobility, protection, lethality and crew safety, with a focus on the integration of advanced command, control, communication, computer and intelligence (C5I) systems. In addition, the VULCANO system will be further improved with the introduction of GPS-guided and laser-guided munitions, enhancing its long-range precision and engagement capability.
The modernisation will be carried out in several phases, with the first phase being financed through Ministry of Defence funds, to the tune of around EUR 60 million. The improvements will also affect crew protection, with new fire-fighting and air-conditioning systems. The entire programme will help ensure that the Italian Army maintains a leadership position in artillery, ready to respond to the needs of modern conflict scenarios, both domestically and within international alliances.
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
