SPH for the Marine Korp
A self-propelled howitzer for the Marine Corps (image: Konstrukta)
The Marine Corps gets a budget allocation for the purchase of the Self Propelled Howitzer, according to reliable sources. This howitzer will have a caliber of 155mm, which is bigger than the current drag howitzer, namely the LG1 with caliber 105mm and M1938 (M-30) with caliber 122mm. Thus the plan to add LG1 towed howitzer from France for the 2020-2024 period was canceled. The purchase of SP Howitzer also completes the modernization of the Marine defense equipment so that each unit will be mobile. In contrast to the Kostrad Forces which have a requirement for it to be air-transportable in the form of Nexter Caesar self propelled howitzer with a 6x6 wheeled truck base, but the Marine Corps are not limited in size because SP Howitzer transportation would use warships (LPD or LST). Thus, the only size limitation is to fit the gate for LPD and LST ships owned by the Indonesian Navy. Since the budget is for a 155mm howitzer, the caliber must be adjusted accordingly. So far, the Marine Corps has not used heavy tracked wheels, so the choice of the type of truck mounted will be more realistic. The 8x8 wheeled type will provide a wider roaming field than the 6x6 wheeled type. Following the Marine Corps custom of purchasing products from the Eastern Bloc, the following is a selection of truck-mounted SP Howitzer products available that adhere to NATO standards (weight, range of fire with original projectiles, number of projectiles carried, number of crew):
-Kryl 6x6 (23 tons, range 30 km, 18 grains, 5 people) made in Poland,
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/kryl.htm
-Bohdana 6x6 (28 tons, range 35-40 km, 20 grains, 5 people) made in Ukraine,
https://www.armyrecognition.com/wea...ohdana_155mm_6x6_self-propelled_howitzer.html
-Dana 8x8 (29 tons, reach 39 km, 40 grains, 2 people) made in Czech,
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/dana.htm
-Zuzana 2 8x8 (28.5 tons, 39.6 km range, 40 grains, 3 people) made in Slovakia,
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/zuzana_2.htm
-EVA 8x8 (28.1 tonnes, 41 km range, 24 grains, 3 people) made in Czech-Slovak,
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/eva.htm
-Aleksandar 8x8 (34 tons, range 37.5 km, 24 grains, 3 people) made in Serbia,
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/aleksandar.htm
compare with the Nexter Caesar 6x6 currently operated by Kostrad (17.7 tonnes, 42 km range, 18 points, 5 people).
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/caesar.htm
It appears that all of these systems have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Considering the number of Marine Corps field artillery battalions is only 3 for 3 PasMars and even then composites with tensile howitzers, the Marine needs will not be much for this type of howitzer. Happy choosing.