Danish army fills artillery gap with Israeli systems ahead of schedule
According to information provided by the Janes portal, Danish authorities are managing to quite rapidly fill the gap created by the transfer of CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. The ATMOS 2000 and PULS systems ordered from Israel are already being delivered to the Scandinavian country, but they will not immediately achieve combat readiness. What capabilities does this weaponry offer?
The decision to transfer 19 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine brought tangible benefits for Ukraine, but it generated controversy among Danish politicians from the outset. Some of them warned that finding a replacement for the transferred weapons would take several years. However, it seems the search may end much sooner than anticipated.
ATMOS 2000 and PULS in the Danish Army
Denmark was supposed to receive all the ordered PULS systems (eight units) along with the majority of the ammunition. However, initial reports indicated that the process would take until at least 2026. Moreover, Israeli company Elbit Systems was also supposed to deliver the first batch of ATMOS 2000 systems (Danish authorities ordered as many as 19).
The ATMOS 2000 (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System) is a self-propelled howitzer that utilizes well-known NATO elements - a 155 mm calibre and Tatra truck chassis in a 6x6 or 8x8 drive configuration. It also features a 315 HP engine, which, overall, provides good mobility and enables this system to travel at speeds of up to 80 km/h. The manufacturer claims that the ATMOS 2000 provides a firing range of about 40 km and a rate of fire of up to 8 rounds per minute.
PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) is a multiple rocket launcher. It stands out with its two rotating launch containers (each holding 18 rockets), from which various types of ammunition can be launched, in calibres ranging from 122 mm to 370 mm. The maximum range is between approximately 40 km to even up to 300 km.
The equipment is here, but Danes still have a lot of work to do
The information on Janes portal is perceived as a showcase of Elbit Systems' capabilities. The Israelis are fulfilling the agreements ahead of schedule, even in the face of the country's tense situation and operations against Hamas.
However, this does not change the fact that the Danes still have a lot of work ahead of them. The received equipment must be adapted to service in the Danish army, which means, among other things, eliminating differences between the IT systems used by Elbit Systems and the Danish Armed Forces. The beginning of combat readiness is estimated for 2025. In addition, as previously explained by Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, the cost of acquiring and preparing Israeli weapons for service will be higher than initially anticipated. Additional expenditures may exceed £87 million.
