United to win: Czechia bolsters Ukraine’s military with 26 Dana self-propelled artillery installations

The Ukrainian Defense Forces received 26 DANA-M2 self-propelled artillery installations in 152 mm caliber from the Czech Republic.

Armiia TV reported that.

What is the problem?

Artillery is the primary means of fire damage to the enemy in operations conducted by the Ground Forces using conventional weapons and performs up to 85% of the total volume of fire damage to the enemy.

Artillery inherited from the Soviet Union, which was actively or passively used for 30 years and which has been fighting for more than nine years, was in service in Ukraine's armed forces. Accordingly, it is technically worn out and needs physical replacement.

Even before the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine considered the possibility of purchasing 26 DANA howitzers for Ukraine's armed forces from the Czech Republic. They replaced the outdated D-20 trailed guns and 2C3 "Akatsia" self-propelled artillery units.

In November 2020, the "Ukrspetsexport" State Enterprise press service reported that in the Czech Republic at the Excalibur Army spol. s.r.o. DANA-M2 self-propelled guns are already being manufactured for Ukraine.

^{The production process of the Dana-M2 ACS in the Czech Republic. Photo: the "Ukrspecexport" State Enterprise}

What is the solution?

Ukraine's Defense Forces recently received 26 Dana-M2 self-propelled artillery units with a 152 mm caliber, courtesy of the Czech Republic.

Along with the self-propelled guns, Ukraine received special shells for them from the Czech Republic with a firing range of up to 25 km.

In April 2021, the Ministry of Defense reported that the 152-mm self-propelled howitzer DANA-M2 manufactured by the Czech Republic was tested at the Rivne military training ground.

^{DANA-M2 self-propelled guns are being tested in the Rivne region. Photo: ArmyInform}

At that time, self-propelled guns underwent functional, operational, and fire testing in conditions as close as possible to combat. The test program contained 18 different tests, including shooting.

After the Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022, DANA self-propelled guns began to enter Ukraine's armed forces.

How does it work?

So, at the end of 2022, the 110th separate mechanized brigade named after Colonel-General Mark Bezruchko of Ukraine's armed forces published a video with this self-propelled gun.

At the beginning of 2023, a video appeared on social networks with a DANA-M2 self-propelled artillery installation loaded onto a trawl. The unknown video author behind the scenes claimed that the howitzer would soon be sent to Ukraine.

At the beginning of 2024, the 56th separate motorized infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published a video with the combat operation of the DANA-M2 self-propelled guns.

As they say, the DANA-M2 is a modernized version of the DANA VZ 77-wheeled gun, already in service with Ukraine's armed forces.

The main armament of the self-propelled artillery system is a 152 mm cannon. It is also armed with a large-caliber 12.7 mm NSVT machine gun.

It should be noted that Ukraine has established its own production of 152-mm projectiles, as it has Soviet-style self-propelled guns 2C1 "Acatsia" and 2C3 "Acatsia". Therefore, there should be no problems with the replenishment of ammunition.

The firing range of conventional projectiles reaches up to 18.7 km, and rocket projectiles – up to 25 km.

The rate of fire is up to 5 shots per minute; the ammunition consists of 50 shells. Crew — 5 people.

^{DANA-M2 artillery installation of the Ukrainian military. Photo: Screenshot from the video of the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade}

The self-propelled artillery system is placed on a Tatra chassis with an 8×8 wheel formula. It is equipped with a Tatra engine, which works together with a 5-speed gearbox. The maximum speed of the self-propelled artillery system off-road reaches 25 km, and on the road, it comes to 90 km/h.

The Dana self-propelled artillery installation was developed in the late 70s in the former Czechoslovakia. However, all self-propelled guns received by Ukraine are new and have not been used.

In addition, the Defense Forces received a new cockpit and fire control system for self-propelled guns.

For reference:

It should be noted that the Ukrainian self-propelled wheeled howitzer 2С22 "Bohdana" is produced in several versions for Ukraine's armed forces.