Top 10 Most Powerful Self-Propelled Howitzers In The World

K9 Thunder

Developer:  Samsung Techwin

Price: $3.9 million

Current operators: South Korea, India, Turkey, Egypt, Poland, etc.

The development of the K9 Thunder model has been deployed since 1989 when the Republic of Korea Army required Samsung Techwin to produce an alternate self-propelled howitzer to the old K55 model in South Korea. It was set to enter the ROKA service in 1999.

The K9 is featured with a fully automatic ARV system (Ammunition Resupply Vehicle). It can order projectile firing at a rate of six rounds a minute and achieve a maximum distance of 40km.
Besides, K9 Thunder clocks 67km/h at its top speed.

CAESAR 155mm Howitzer

Developer: GIAT Industries, in co-operation with Lohr Industries.

Price: $2.27 million

Current operators: France, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Denmark, Thailand, etc.

Based on the Renault Sherpa 10 chassis, the CAESAR howitzer is currently served in a number of powerful armies in the world, including France and Saudi Arabia. The artillery is mounted on a 6x6 truck while the armored body offers STANAG protection and IED – Improvised Explosive Device protection.

The effective self-propelled artillery system is able to fire all standard NATO 155mm ammunition with six fire rounds per minute. It can strike targets within the maximum range of over 50km.

Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000)

Developer: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann

Price: $4.5 million

Current operators: Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, etc.

The Panzerhaubitze 2000 is another howitzer developed by KMW with a highly mobile 155mm/L52 artillery system. It’s considered as an highly effective howitzer at present because of the capability to support both conventional and asymmetric missions. First developed for the German Army, now more than 300 PzH systems have been delivered to other NATO members.

The PzH 2000 is also one of the most expensive self-propelled artillery systems in the world, not only due to its advanced technology but also powerful performance. With 57 tons in weight, a PzH 2000 carries 60 projectiles and nearly 300 charges. It can fire targets from 56km away with 8 to 10 rounds a minute, thanks to the fully automatic loading system and fire control computer.

DONAR Artillery Gun Module (AGM)

Developer: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann

Price: N/A

Current operators: Germany

The 155mm-howitzer is a product of KMW – Krauss Maffei Wegmann. It’s highly advanced with the infantry fighting vehicle provided by GDELS to clock the top speed at over 60km/h.

With the DONAR howitzer, the artillery system has been upgraded to a higher level by integrating a fully automated firing module and a platform with high mobility. The cabin and module designed on the howitzer pack several technological features, including must-have protections, GPS and hybrid navigation, auto-tracking and correction.

The armament can carry a load of 30 projectiles and 145 charges. Its maximum range of fire reaches a reported distance of over 40km, and it can exceed 56km with the help of higher range munitions. Additionally, six rounds of firing per minute are something pretty great about the DONAR's firing ability.

ARCHER FH 77 BW L52 Howitzer

Developer: Sweden

Price: $4.5 million

Current operators: Sweden

The Archer FH 77 BW L52 Howitzer is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer used in attacking both stationary and mobile targets at land and sea. It’s one of the best howitzers in the world at present, thanks to the capability to meet the needs of ground troops in the current time and in the future.

The howitzer is built on Volvo vehicle and features an RCWS – Remotely Controlled Weapon Station. The cabin is designed to fully protect crews from all types of attacks, even nuclear or chemical and biological threats. The armament includes a 155mm/L52 main gun to fire any 155mm projectile.

Besides, the system delivers an outstanding capability of tracking and operates in conjunction with computerized control and command systems to fire a combat load of rounds ranging nearly 50km.