Palmaria

The Palmaria is a tier 7 Self-Propelled Gun originating from Italy, and is sold by Zhang Feng. It can be unlocked from the 2S3 Akatsiya, and leads to the M109A6 Paladin.

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.

Player Recommendations
As a self-propelled gun, the Palmaria 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

 * Aim time and accuracy are an improvement over the last two vehicles in the tree
 * High mobility
 * Good armor for an SPG, front plate can resist light autocannon rounds

Cons

 * Very large target

Upgrade Suggestions
Improved Fire Control Systems and Improved Ready Racks will increase effective damage output. Upgrading to the MB 837 Ka-500 Diesel Engine will expedite movement between firing locations, but other upgrades such as the Spall Liner and Upgraded Exhaust Smoke are less important and should be researched later.

Retrofit Suggestions

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

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Freja Hojbjerg, for improvements to aim speed and overall accuracy
 * Driver: Smooth Ride, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist
 * Loader: Rapid Fire, Explosive Shells

History
Class: Self-Propelled Howitzer Developed: 1980-1981 Service: 1982+ Vehicles Built: cca 200 Operators: Libya, Nigeria, Argentina Developed by OTO Melara in Italy for the export market, this self-propelled howitzer utilizes an autoloader to allow for an increased rate of fire. The name came from the island of Palmaria, located in the La Spezia gulf (La Spezia was the seat of the OTO Melara company). The Palmaria SPH consisted of a modified OF-40 hull with a new OTOBREDA turret, armed with a long OTO Melara 155mm Obice da 155/39 howitzer (barrel length was 39 calibers, although some sources state 41 calibers). The turret was fully traversable (the drive was hydraulic with its own independent propulsion), the gun could depress to -4 degrees and elevate to +70 degrees. Its maximum range (using standard high-explosive ammunition) was 24.7 kilometers, but it could be augmented by using rocket-assisted projectiles. Other shells fired included illumination rounds and smoke rounds. The gun was automatically loaded and the average rate of fire was 4 rounds per minute during intensive action but was, according to some sources, capable of firing three round bursts. Average sustainable rate of fire was 3 rounds per minute. The prototype was first shown to the representatives of the United Arab Emirates, but they weren’t quite interested. Two customers appeared in 1982 – Libya and Nigeria. Libya was a pariah country back then and it’s generally unclear how did Colonel Kaddafi’s forces get their hands on those vehicles. In 1982, around 200 were ordered (some source claim 210), but the details of that deal remain unclear to this day. 160 were reported operational by 2007 and they participated in the Libyan Civil War. By now, most are probably gone. Nigeria ordered 25 vehicles in 1982 and they are also still in service. The final customer of sorts was Argentina in 1986 – they ordered turrets only and had them installed on modified TAM tank chassis to produce a rather unique version of the Palmaria. And that was the end of Palmaria sales. The vehicle was offered for years until the early 2000s, but no other customer was interested.