The 52nd Field Artillery Regiment "Torino", equipped with the PZH2000, recently conducted the Flaming Sunrise 25 exercise in the military area of Persano, a strategic zone in Campania, near the Sele River. This training was designed with the goal of achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) for the 2nd Howitzer 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 howitzer, and on coordinating firing operations. The exercise involved the Command Post of the 1st Artillery Group, a battery of howitzers, and the Joint Fire Support Team, engaged in activities both in the plains and in the mountains, such as the march to the summit of Monte Panormo, at an altitude of 1700 meters.
The PZH2000 Self-Propelled Howitzer and Its Importance in Training
The PZH2000, the heart of the modern artillery of the 52nd regiment, is a 155/52 mm self-propelled howitzer produced in collaboration between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall, and is one of the most advanced weapon systems in service with the Italian armed forces. The howitzer replaced the M109L between 2008 and 2012 and is distinguished by an extremely sophisticated fire control system, which integrates a ballistic computer, an inertial navigator, and GPS. The rate of fire is impressive, with the ability to launch 3 rounds in 10 seconds, or 20 rounds in 3 minutes, ensuring precision and lethality.
Its range varies from 5 to 70 km, and the PZH2000 is compatible with NATO 155 mm ammunition, including the VULCANO guided munition produced by Leonardo, which further enhances the system's accuracy and range. The Italian fleet of PZH2000 is undergoing a modernization process to extend its operational life until 2050, with interventions concerning electronics, crew protection, and ammunition management, to keep the system up to date with modern threats.
The Future of Artillery: Modernization and Interoperability
The modernization program of the PZH2000 self-propelled howitzer of the Italian Army, which will start in 2025, is part of a continuous evolution of artillery capabilities. The program includes a technological upgrade to overcome obsolescence and increase mobility, protection, lethality, and crew safety, with a focus on integrating advanced command, control, communication, computer, and intelligence (C5I) systems. Additionally, the VULCANO system will be further improved with the introduction of GPS and laser-guided munitions, thus enhancing precision and long-range engagement capabilities.
The modernization will be developed in several phases, with the first phase funded through the Ministry of Defense funds, amounting to approximately 60 million euros. Improvements will also concern crew protection, with new fire suppression and air conditioning systems. The entire program will help ensure that the Italian Army maintains a leadership position in artillery, ready to respond to the needs of modern conflict scenarios, both nationally and within international alliances.
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