The moment the Lancet UAV attacked the 'world's most powerful' self-propelled gun

Russia released for the first time a video of the Lancet UAV attacking the PzH 2000 complex, one of the most powerful self-propelled artillery systems in the world, in service with Ukraine.

Russian media on January 31 released a video from a reconnaissance drone in which a Ukrainian PzH 2000 self-propelled gun was detected while maneuvering. Images from a thermal imaging sensor showed a large heat source on the left side of the vehicle's nose, most likely the engine exhaust, a feature unique to the PzH 2000 and not consistent with other self-propelled guns in Ukrainian service.

In the first video, the PzH 2000 complex, covered in camouflage and most likely anti-UAV netting, moves into a hidden position under a tree canopy. The Lancet dives down, hitting the thinnest armor on the turret roof and causing a huge explosion.

The moment the Lancet UAV attacked Ukraine's world-class artillery — Lancet UAV attacks PzH 2000 self-propelled gun in video released on January 31. Video: *Telegram/The_Wrong_Side*

The second video shows the PzH 2000 gun moving along the road, it is not clear whether it is the same battery as in the previous video or a different one. The Lancet UAV approaches from the left side and targets the side of the vehicle.

The Russian aircraft detonated remotely, the fire trail showed that this could be a Lancet version equipped with LiDAR sensors and an extruded penetrator (EFP) warhead, designed to counter the anti-UAV steel cage that Ukraine equipped many weapons on the battlefield.

The fate of the PzH 2000 system in the video is unknown. This gun is lightly armored, capable of withstanding 14.5mm machine gun bullets fired directly, and has a spiked rubber cover to deal with the small armor-piercing warheads fired from cluster munitions. However, this protection is unlikely to be able to withstand the high-penetration EFP warheads on the Lancets.

The Russian Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian military have not commented on the information.

The PzH 2000 is a 155 mm self-propelled gun developed by Germany in the period 1987-1996, then put into mass production and deployed in the army. The PzH 2000 is considered one of the most powerful howitzer complexes in the world, with the ability to fire 9 rounds per minute, reaching a range of 30-47 km with regular ammunition and 67 km with extended-range ammunition.

Germany began delivering PzH 2000s to Ukraine in June 2022, but 10 of the first 15 systems Ukraine received broke down after just two months due to overuse.

PzH 2000 artillery deployed in Ukraine in July 2022. Photo: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense — PzH 2000 artillery deployed in Ukraine in July 2022. Photo: *Ukrainian Ministry of Defense*

A total of 28 systems were supplied by Berlin to Kiev, but it is unclear how many PzH 2000 guns are still operational. Ukrainian media also published images of a PzH 2000 system damaged by a Lancet UAV in November 2022.

Vu Anh (According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Reuters , Militarnyi )

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