Truck mounted howitzers are self propelled howitzer systems
that have a military wheeled truck as their main platform. So, as you may already know,
howitzers are key weapons for the armed forces of any army as they provide firepower and accuracy.
In contrast with howitzers that are based on trucked chassis,
truck mounted howitzers are more agile, although they may have other disadvantages.
But besides the comparison with other types of howitzers, truck mounted systems play an
important role in conflicts around the world, and that's why the militaries want the most
advanced of their kind. On some occasions, they can determine the outcome of a whole battle.
Due to their maneuverability and their powerful guns, these weapons can eliminate targets with
accuracy and in a very short period of time. They also pack armor to secure
and protect their crew. Their high mobility also ensures that the vehicle has enough time to escape
or avoid counter fire. Let's see the ten best truck mounted howitzers in the world.
10. DANA M1 CZ
We are preparing for you, Czech Republic has produced some great truck mounted howitzers,
so you will see a bunch of them on the list. The DANA M1 CZ is based on an armored 8x8 chassis
and features many improvements compared to the older DANA weapon.
The weapon has an autoloader and 40 to 60 rounds can be carried in the vehicle.
There is also a new fire control system and a roof mounted 12.7 mm machine gun for defense purposes.
9. Type 19
The Japanese Type 19 howitzer is one of the newest on the list. In 2019, the first units
were delivered, while one year ago, in 2018, the first tests took place in the country.
Type 19 needs a crew of 5 men,
has a range of 23.6 miles, and has a firing rate of 6 rounds per minute. It's also cheaper than
the Type 99 tracked howitzer as it's based on an 8x8 MAN HX77 tactical military truck.
8. SH 15
The Chinese howitzer is also a new design, as it was first seen in 2017. One or two years later,
it probably entered service with the armed forces of the Asian country.
We know that its 155 mm/L52 gun offers a maximum range of 33 miles with VLAP shells,
although there are other available options like laser guided and GPS guided rounds.
7. CAESAR
The CAESAR is probably the most successful French
truck mounted howitzer. The CAESAR is a key weapon in the arsenal of the country.
The L52 gun can shoot 6 rounds per minute, while the vehicle can carry
up to 18 rounds of ammunition with it. With rocket assisted ammunition,
the CAESAR can hit a target at a maximum range of 26 miles.
6. ATMOS
The only Israeli weapon on the list, the ATMOS, was revealed in 2001. The country wanted to
create a durable and strong howitzer that would be an affordable option for low budget armies.
Thailand ordered the weapon and received the first units in 2013.
Intermittently, the ATMOS has some available options for its main howitzer gun.
Some of these are a Soltam 155 mm/L39 gun and a 155 mm/L45 gun.
5. NORA B 52 The NORA B 52 is
a Serbian made self propelled howitzer system. The first twelve units were delivered in 2007,
and until now, these weapons have been exported to Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Kenya.
The howitzer system features a 155 mm/L52 gun that can shoot 155 mm NATO ammunition at a maximum fire
rate of 6 shells per minute. The vehicle can carry 36 shells in total, while its maximum
range is 12.4 miles with ordinary ammunition and 25.4 miles with rocket assisted ammunition.
4. CAESAR 8x8 The French CAESAR 8x8 is a newly developed
truck howitzer that is often called CAESAR 2. That happens because the new weapon is an
upgraded version of the first CAESAR. The gun was selected from Denmkar and Czech Replucic so far.
Its howitzer gun is a 155 mm/L52 gun with direct and indirect firing capabilities.
Its fire rate reaches 6 shells per minute, while its maximum effective range varies
depending on the ammunition. With the Bonus anti tank ammunition,
the maximum distance is 21 miles, and with HE FRAG rocket assisted, the range is 26 miles, while the
VLAP shells can reach 34 miles. The effective range of direct fire is almost 1.2 miles.
3. Zuzana 2
The specific gun is produced in Slovakia and is a
self propelled howitzer. The prototype was revealed for the first time in 2008,
while the defense ministry of the country ordered 25 systems in 2018. The delivery started in 2021.
The main gun is a 155 mm/L52 howitzer with a maximum range of 25.5 miles when rocket assisted
ammunition is being launched. The weapon can shoot six shells in the first minute,
while in the first three minutes it can launch 16 shells.
2. G6 Rhina
With such a name, it's kind of obvious that this is a weapon developed in Africa. In particular,
it's a South African truck mounted howitzer and one of the most
important indigenous weapons in the country. Even if it's an old design,
it's still a very successful system today. The first of this type was made in 1981.
The 155 mm/L45 howitzer gun has a range of 18.6 miles with HE FRAG shells, 24.3
miles with rocket assisted shells, and 31 miles with the newly developed long range ammunition.
Its fire rate reaches four shells per minute, while 47 rounds can be stored in the system.
1. Archer
This Swedish weapon is a new generation self propelled howitzer that started
being developed in 2003. The first units were delivered to the Swedish armed forces in 2013.
The Archer reaches 18.6 miles with ordinary rounds and 24.8 miles with rocket assisted
ammunition. It also launches the Excalibur high precision guided long range ammunition
that can reach a target at a maximum range of 37.2 miles. The system is also compatible
with Bonus high precision guided ammunition. The maximum fire rate reaches an impressive
number of 6 shells in just 30 seconds. The Archer carries 20 rounds of ammunition.