Panzerhaubitze 2000

The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is a tier 9 Self-Propelled Gun originating from Germany, and is sold by Zhang Feng. It can be unlocked with a tier 9 Unlock Token and unlocks a tier 10 Unlock Token, which can be used on the B1 Centauro 155 or Wilk XC-8.

Currently, all SPGs in the game are locked to PvE mode.

Features

 * Self propelled guns: fire support vehicles for PvE missions.
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage.
 * Magazine loader: allows you to fire several rounds without reloading.

Player Recommendations
As a self-propelled gun, the PzH 2000 is best used as a support vehicle for helping the team progress by removing heavily armored targets such as MBTs from the battle. Teamwork is needed for those both working with and playing an SPG. Teammates should be asked to call out targets if they are in trouble, and front-line vehicles should be supported in the battle.

Pros

 * 3-round salvo
 * Good accuracy
 * Fast aiming time

Cons

 * Large target
 * Long downtime between salvos

Upgrade Suggestions
The Improved Fire Control Systems and Improved Load Conveyor will increase effective damage output. Upgrading to the 881 Ka-500 Diesel Engine will expedite movement between firing locations. Other upgrades such as Spall Liner and Upgraded Smoke Grenades are less important and can be disregarded until later.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Advanced Fire Control
 * Advanced Muzzle Reference System
 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Improved Turret Drive

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Freja Højbjerg, for her improvements to aim speed and overall accuracy
 * Driver: Smooth Ride, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist

History
Class: Self-Propelled Howitzer Developed: 1986-1996 Service: 1998+ Vehicles Built: 342 Operators: Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Croatia, Hungary and Lithuania Much like a number of other European military development programs, the Panzerhaubitze is a result of a single idea: “Let’s build something so that we don’t have to use American stuff.” A joint West-German, British and later Italian program was launched in the 1960s to develop a true European SPG to replace the M109 in the NATO service. The program was called SP70. With three different countries (each with its own ideas about the requirements), it went about as well as you’d expect. After roughly ten years of arguments, several prototypes were built and underwent a series of trials, in which they were promptly outperformed by the by-then decade-old M109. After the fiasco, Britain and Italy bailed out and decided to just adopt the M109 and develop their own artillery systems (resulting in the British AS90 and the Palmaria) while Germany just kept the project formally running until 1986 when it was finally cancelled. Realizing the need to still have a replacement to the M109, the German government issued a contract to two development groups to come up with a suitable prototype. The program was called Panzerhaubitze 2000 (armored howitzer for the year 2000). These prototypes were evaluated in late 1990 and the group consisting of Wegmann and MaK won. Four more prototypes were ordered for further trials and in 1996, the first order was officially placed. The production started in 1997 and the first production vehicle was delivered in the early 1998. Germany received the original order of 185 vehicles between 1998 and 2002. In the process, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (armed with cutting edge FCS and a 155mm Rheinmetall L/52 howitzer that is automatically loaded and can fire up to 10 rounds per minute) gained a significant popularity, which led to a number of them being exported. The Panzerhaubitze 2000 has already also seen combat in Afghanistan. The most famous deployment was the use of Dutch PzH 2000s in Operation Medusa and the 2006 battle of Chora. In both occasions, the crews praised its high accuracy. The Panzerhaubitze production is currently ongoing with 24 new vehicles ordered by Hungary.