Netherlands Purchasing Six More DITA Self-Propelled Howitzers For Transfer To Ukraine
The Netherlands has ordered six new 155mm DITA self-propelled howitzers and an unspecified amount of related artillery ammunition from the Czech company Excalibur Army as part of its ongoing support for Ukraine. The order was announced in a statement by Dutch defense minister Ruben Brekelmans during the European Council meeting in Brussels on October 17. The statement said that the purchase would be made in cooperation with Denmark and that the Netherlands would allocate €271 million for the procurement, but did not comment on the exact production and delivery timetable for the promised weapons.
This purchase represents the second batch of DITA self-propelled howitzers ordered by the Netherlands for Ukraine from the Czech Republic. The first order was announced in February 2024 and reportedly included nine systems. All artillery systems were delivered to Ukraine this summer and are already in active use.
DITA self-propelled gun-howitzer vehicle is a new modern artillery weapon that uses NATO 155 mm standard ammunition. It derives from the original Czechoslovak concept of Tatra truck-mounted howitzers, but it takes the autonomy of operation to the next level. DITA requires only two crew members and, with its 47-caliber barrel, can reach targets up to 39.1 km away. In addition, it stands out with many features such as a modern onboard control System, advanced fire control systems, automatic weapon loading and guidance system, rapid firing positioning and abandonment, and MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) mode.
The Dutch Defence Minister also said that in addition to providing Ukraine with modern howitzers using NATO’s 155mm standard ammunition, they are working on projects to transfer 152mm guns for use in Soviet-era systems. ‘We must continue all existing initiatives unabated. It is in everyone’s interest that Ukraine manages to maintain its defense lines and that Russian aggression does not advance further,’ he added.