View source for Engineering:155 mm SpGH Zuzana

{{Short description|Slovak self-propelled gun-howitzer}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = 155mm SpGH Zuzana
| image              = 155mm Skh Zuzana.jpg
| image_size         = 250
| alt                = 
| caption            = 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer model (vz.) 2000 Zuzana on military exhibition IDEE in Trenčín, Slovakia
| type               = [[Engineering:Self-propelled gun|Self-propelled gun]]
| origin             = Slovakia
 <!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_artillery       = yes
| is_vehicle         = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1998–present
| used_by            = Slovakia<br>[[Place:Cyprus|Cyprus]]<br>{{wipe|Ukraine}}
| wars               = Russo-Ukrainian War
| designer           = Konštrukta Trenčín
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = 
| unit_cost          = '''Zuzana 2:''' <br> EUR 5.75 million (2022)<ref name="Kjøper artillerivåpen for 1 milliard kroner til Ukraina">{{Cite web |last=AS |first=TV 2 |date=2022-10-02 |title=Kjøper artillerivåpen for én milliard kroner til Ukraina |url=https://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/kjoper-artillerivapen-for-en-milliard-kroner-til-ukraina/15153877/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=TV 2 |language=no}}</ref>
| production_date    = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br> 1998-2007 <br> '''Zuzana 2:''' <br> 2019-present
| number             = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br> 16 <br> '''M2000G Zuzana:''' <br> 12 <br> '''Zuzana 2:''' <br> 49
| variants           = '''Production models:''' <br> vz. 2000 Zuzana <br> M2000G Zuzana <br> Zuzana 2 <br>'''Tracked prototypes:''' <br> Zuzana A 40 Himalaya <br> Diana 155mm 
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label         = 
| mass               = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br>{{convert|28.45|t|ST|abbr=on}} <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' <br>{{convert|33.80|t|ST|abbr=on}}
| length             = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br>{{convert|12.97|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' <br>{{convert|14.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width              = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br>{{convert|3.01|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' <br>{{convert|3.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height             = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br>{{convert|3.30|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' <br>{{convert|3.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 4
(driver, gun commander, charge operator, projectile operator)<ref name=kotadef_zuzana_2>{{cite web|work=kotadef.sk|title=ZUZANA 2 - Self-propelled autonomous artillery system |url=https://kotadef.sk/projekty/test/?lang=en | accessdate=November 6, 2022}}</ref>
| passengers         = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = [[Engineering:155 mm|155 mm]] (6.1")
| barrels            = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' 45-caliber <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' 52-caliber
| action             = 
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = 
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 
| sights             = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = 
| primary_armament   = 
| secondary_armament = [[Engineering:M2 Browning|M2 Browning]]
| engine             = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' <br> V12 engine Tatra T3-930-52 265 kW (355 hp) <br> '''Zuzana 2:''' <br> V8 engine Tatra T3D-928-70 325 kW (436 hp)
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| payload_capacity   = 
| drive              = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' Tatra 815 8x8 <br> '''Zuzana 2:''' Tatra 817 8x8
| transmission       = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| fuel_capacity      = 
| vehicle_range      = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' {{convert|750|km|mi|abbr=on}} <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' {{convert|600|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| speed              = '''vz. 2000 Zuzana:''' {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} <br>'''Zuzana 2:''' {{convert|90|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| guidance           = 
| steering           = <!-- For all -->
| ref                = 
}}

'''Zuzana 155 mm Gun Howitzer''' is a Slovak artillery system developed by KONŠTRUKTA - Defence, with a 45-caliber gun and automatic loader for loading of both projectile and charge. It is an evolution of the [[Engineering:152mm SpGH DANA|152mm SpGH DANA]] self-propelled howitzer.

The gun has a long range high accuracy and high [[Rate of fire|rate of fire]], it can be prepared promptly for firing, and it has a high level of mobility ensured by a modified [[Company:Tatra|Tatra]] 8×8 chassis. The design of the gun means it can use any NATO standard [[Engineering:155 mm|155 mm]] [[Engineering:Ammunition|ammunition]]. The fire control system allows for a [[Engineering:Artillery#Multiple round simultaneous impact|multiple-round simultaneous-impact]] (MRSI) mode. One of the unique features of Zuzana is that the gun is mounted externally in between two totally separated compartments of the [[Engineering:Gun turret|turret]]. This makes the crew inherently safe from any potentially dangerous mechanics of the gun and autoloader plus the crew is protected from the gases generated during firing.

==Variants==

===155 mm ShKH vz. 2000 Zuzana===
The original wheeled version adopted by the Slovak Army in 1998.

===155 mm ShKH M2000G Zuzana===
A modified version made for the Hellenic Army, later resold to Cyprus. Armed with lighter 7.62 mm roof-mounted machine guns.

===155 mm ShKH Zuzana 2===
Updated version with a new 52-calibre gun, full 360-degree turret traverse and a new armored cab. It has passed Slovak Army trials in December 2009.<ref name=mesacnik_MOSR_5>{{cite web |last1=Roman |first1=Kment |title=''155 mm ShKH Zuzana 2.'' Mesačník Ministerstva Obrany Slovenskej Republiky, číslo 5 / Máj 2010 / s. 28-29 (Slovak) |url=https://www.mod.gov.sk/data/files/1871.pdf |access-date=5 Nov 2022}}</ref> Slovak army had ordered 25 vehicles (to be delivered in year 2021 and 2022).<ref name=armadninoviny>{{cite web |last1=Grohmann |first1=Jan |title=Slovenská armáda získá samohybné houfnice Zuzana 2 |url=https://www.armadninoviny.cz/slovenska-armada-ziska-samohybne-houfnicee-zuzana-2.html |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>

The new version is claimed to possess [[Engineering:Artillery#Multiple round simultaneous impact|Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI)]] capability.

===155 mm ShKH Himalaya===
1990's adaptation of the original system to a tracked chassis required by export customers. It is essentially a Zuzana turret mounted on a [[Engineering:T-72|T-72]] chassis.
The tracked version so far did not achieve orders beyond initial evaluation units and further production is unlikely.

===155 mm ShKH Diana===
A joint project between Slovak Konstrukta Defence (Slovakia) and Bumar-Labedy (Poland). Uses Zuzana 2 turret on UPG-NG tracked chassis. A prototype showcased on International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland in Kielce in 2015.

== Specifications ==
[[File:Slovak Ground Forces Zuzana 2 first time outside Slovakia (1).jpg|300px|thumb|2nd Mechanized Brigade's 155mm Zuzana 2 155mm howitzer fires a projectile during a US-Slovak live-fire exercise at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, {{wipe|Poland}}, November 30, 2021.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
!
!style="width: 200pt;"| vz. 2000 Zuzana <ref name=kotadef_vz2000_zuzana>{{cite web|work=kotadef.sk|title=ZUZANA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer |url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html |accessdate=December 12, 2007 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027100926/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html| archivedate= 27 October 2007 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref>
!style="width: 200pt;"| Zuzana 2 <ref name=kotadef_zuzana_2 /> <ref name=mesacnik_MOSR_5 />
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"

! Caliber:
| colspan="2" | 155 mm (6.1")
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Barrel length:
|45 cal
|52 cal
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Ammunition carried:
| colspan="2" |40 projectiles & 40 charges
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Maximum firing range:
|{{convert|39.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|41|km|mi|abbr=on}} with ERFB-BB <br /> {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} with VLAP
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Minimum range:
| colspan="2" |{{convert|5.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Rate of fire:
|6 rounds /min.
|5 rounds /min.
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Sustained rate of fire:
|5 rounds /min.
|4.3 round/min. (13 rounds in 3 minutes)
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Ammunition loading:
| colspan="2" |Fully automatic
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Turret traverse:
|±60°
|360°, firing within ±60°
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Gun elevation/depression:
| +70°/-3,5°
| +75°/-3,5°
|- style="text-align:center;"

!
!colspan="2"|
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Crew:
|colspan="2"|4 (driver, gun commander, charge operator, projectile operator).
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Chassis:
|Tatra 815 VP31 8x8
|Tatra 817 8x8
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Engine:
|V12 Tatra T3-930-52
|V8 Tatra T3D-928-70
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Engine power:
|265 kW (355 hp)
|325 kW (436 hp)
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Vehicle length:
|{{convert|12.97|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|14.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Vehicle width:
|{{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|3.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Total height:
|{{convert|3.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Total weight of the system:
| {{convert|28.45|MT|ST|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|33.80|MT|ST|abbr=on}} <br> ''(combat weight)''
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Maximum speed:
|80+ km/h (50+ mph)
|90 km/h (56 mph)
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Operational range:
|{{convert|750|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|600|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Obstacle crossing:
!colspan="2"|
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Trench:
|{{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|2.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Vertical step:
|colspan="2" |{{convert|0.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|- style="text-align:center;"

!Fording:
|colspan="2" |{{convert|1.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|}

[[File:ZUZANA operators world map.svg|thumb|400x400px|Map of ZUZANA operators in blue with future operators in yellow]]

==Current operators==
* {{SVK}}: 16 Zuzana 2000 (as of June 2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine Gate |url=https://www.ukrgate.com/eng/?p=38749 |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=www.ukrgate.com |date=30 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> 25 Zuzana 2 ordered, 8 units received by July 2021.
* {{CYP}}: 12 Zuzana M2000G, bought from Greece
* {{UKR}}: 24 Zuzana 2 bought in two consecutive deals. First order of 8 confirmed in May 2022 by the Slovak minister of defence Jaroslav Naď, with training of crews starting right away.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Słowacja przekaże Ukrainie nowoczesną artylerię |url=https://defence24.pl/polityka-obronna/slowacja-przekaze-ukrainie-nowoczesna-artylerie |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=defence24.pl |date=30 May 2022 |language=pl}}</ref> The first order was completed as of 18 January 2023, per statement by the Slovak minister of defence Jaroslav Naď.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-16 |title=Ukrajina si od Slovenska prevzala poslednú ôsmu húfnicu Zuzana 2 |url=https://www.ta3.com/clanok/256421/ukrajina-si-od-slovenska-prevzala-poslednu-osmu-hufnicu-zuzana-2 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=TV 2 |language=no}}</ref> The second order of 16 units was signed on 2 October 2022, with Denmark, Germany and Norway providing the funding.<ref name="Kjøper artillerivåpen for 1 milliard kroner til Ukraina" /> In early July 2023, during a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, referred to a contract covering the procurement of 16 Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns, this was misinterpreted by various news outlets as reference to an additional contract (for the additional production of 16 units), but she was referring to the aforementioned contract signed in October 2022, in fact.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainska Pravda |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/7/7410321/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=www.pravda.com.ua |date=7 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Former operators==
* {{GRC}}: 12 Zuzana M2000G, all sold to Cypriot National Guard

==See also==
* {{annotated link|Engineering:EVA (howitzer)}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:DRDO Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:ATMOS 2000}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:2S22 Bohdana}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:152 mm SpGH DANA}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:AHS Kryl}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:Nora B-52}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:PCL-09}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:PCL-181}}
* {{annotated link|Engineering:Type 19 155 mm Wheeled Self-propelled Howitzer}}
* [[Engineering:List of artillery|List of artillery]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite web|work=kotadef.sk|title=ZUZANA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer |url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html |accessdate=December 12, 2007 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027100926/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html| archivedate= 27 October 2007 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}
* {{cite web|work=kotadef.sk|title=ZUZANA 2 - Self-propelled autonomous artillery system |url=https://kotadef.sk/projekty/test/?lang=en | accessdate=November 6, 2022}}
* {{cite web|work=kotadef.sk|title=HIMALAYA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer |url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_02.html |accessdate=December 12, 2007 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027100921/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_02.html| archivedate= 27 October 2007 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}
* {{cite web |work=kotadef.sk |title=ZUZANA MV - Ammunition Re-supply Vehicle |url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_07.html |accessdate=December 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925225054/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_07.html |archive-date=2008-09-25 |url-status=dead }}

[[Category:Eight-wheeled vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|155 mm SpGH Zuzana}}