Ukraine is using a variety of different artillery systems to defend itself from Russian aggression. Due to the extensive support from the West, Ukraine is quickly switching to the NATO 155 mm standard. Even before the invasion in 2022, this switch was being actively planned and Ukraine even created its own self-propelled 155 mm howitzer Bohdana. However, the smaller 152 mm standard is still being used as well.
Originating in Czechoslovakia the DANA howitzer can be 152.4 mm caliber, instead of the 155 mm one that is NATO standard now. Image credit: АрміяInform via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
Ammunition standard is important, because it allows allied countries to share ammunition in case of aggression. NATO relies on the 155 mm standard, but this caliber of artillery is also being used by Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea – all for the sake of ammo compatibility. Ukraine’s future is also in the 155 mm standard. However, such howitzers as the 152 mm SpGH DANA are still very important.
While the West solidified its 155 mm standard, The Eastern Bloc countries had their own 152 mm standard. This, of course, includes Czechoslovakia and Ukraine. The Czechoslovakian self-propelled howitzer DANA first entered service in 1981. It is a large 8×8 Tatra chassis with an armoured cab and a 152.4 mm caliber gun.
DANA is 10.5 meters in length, weighs around 30 tonnes and has a top speed of 80 km/h. One of the more interesting features of DANA design is its compartmentalized look. At the front, there is an armed cab. In the middle – the gun turret. At the rear – a powertrain block.
DANA has an autoloader, which is able to load a shell and a cartridge in any elevation of the barrel. DANA can fire around 4 rounds per minute in a semi-automatic mode. However, the sustained rate of fire for 30 minutes is around 3 rounds per minute.
In the manual mode, the rate of fire is reduced to 2 shots per minute. DANA has the ability to operate in direct fire mode too, in case the enemy manages to get closer. Normally though it stays further away and shoots like a normal howitzer.
DANA firing shots at the Russian positions in Ukraine. Image credit: АрміяInform via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
There are actually versions of the DANA howitzer that have a 155 mm gun. They are called Zuzana and Zuzana 2 – the latter one is also used to defend Ukraine.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have been interested in the DANA howitzer for some time. Back in 2020 Ukraine ordered 26 M2 DANA howitzers that have computerised automatic fire control, allowing reduction of crew to 2.
Soon after Russia launched an invasion against Ukraine, the Czech Republic supplied the defenders of Ukraine with an unknown number of M2 and vz. 77 DANA howitzers. While Ukraine is making a switch to the 155 mm standard, there are still plenty of 152 mm shells to go around, so this is still a very important asset.
Written by Povilas M.
Source: Wikipedia