On September 7, 2024, Turan reported that Azerbaijan received its first DITA 155mm self-propelled howitzer from the Czech company Excalibur Army. Earlier reports from aze.media on May 6, 2024, indicated that the company would provide over 70 units of the 155mm self-propelled howitzer to Azerbaijan.
This delivery was later indirectly confirmed by Slovak parliamentarian Juraj Krupa, a member of the Slovak National Council, who mentioned that state companies are currently prioritizing the production of barrels for Azerbaijan over supplying components for the Zuzana self-propelled howitzers intended for Ukraine.
The addition of these self-propelled howitzers comes as the Azerbaijani armed forces continue to enhance their artillery capabilities. As of 2023, the Azerbaijani Army’s artillery inventory includes 1,251 units. Among these, there are 153 self-propelled howitzers: 68 units of the 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika, 14 units of the 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya, 18 units of the 2S19 Msta-S, 36 units of the Dana-M1M, five units of the 155mm ATMOS 2000, and 12 units of the 203mm 2S7 Pion. The army also possesses 551 towed howitzers, consisting of 423 units of the 122mm D-30, 36 units of the 130mm M-46, and 92 units of the 152mm caliber, including 49 units of the 2A36 Giatsint-B and 43 units of the D-20. Additionally, there are 17 units of the 120mm 2S31 Vena gun/mortar.
The Azerbaijani inventory further includes 282 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 71 units of the 107mm T-107, 130 units in the 122mm category, including 78 BM-21 Grad, 16 IMI Lynx, 18 RM-70 Vampir, and 18 T-122, along with 10 units of the 128mm RAK12. There are also 17 units of the 220mm TOS-1A and 36 units in the 300mm category, comprising 30 units of the 9A52 Smerch, six units of the Polonez, and 18 units of the 302mm T-300 Kasirga. The mortar inventory totals 248 units, including 230 units of the 120mm type, such as five Cardom, 27 M-1938 (PM-38), and 198 units of the 2S12, in addition to 18 self-propelled 120mm Sand Cat with Spear systems.
This current inventory represents a substantial increase from the previous year. In 2022, Azerbaijan’s armed forces had 630 artillery pieces, including 102 self-propelled artillery units. These included 46 units of the 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika, six units of the 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya, 18 units of the 2S19 Msta-S, 15 units of the Dana-M1M, five units of the 155mm ATMOS 2000, and 12 units of the 203mm 2S7 Pion. The army also maintained 233 towed artillery pieces, comprising 129 units of the 122mm D-30, 36 units of the 130mm M-46, and 68 units in the 152mm category, with 44 units of the 2A36 Giatsint-B and 24 units of the D-20.
Furthermore, in 2022, the inventory included 36 gun/mortars of the 120mm category, consisting of 18 units of the 2S9 Nona-S and 18 units of the 2S31 Vena. The multiple rocket launcher inventory numbered 147 units, including several units of the 107mm T-107, more than 60 units in the 122mm category, with 43 BM-21 Grad, over nine IMI Lynx, and more than eight RM-70 Vampir. Additionally, there were 12 units of the 128mm RAK12, 18 units of the 220mm TOS-1A, and 36 units in the 300mm category, including 30 units of the 9A52 Smerch, over six units of the Polonez, and 21 units of the 302mm T-300 Kasirga. The mortar inventory in 2022 included 112 units of the 120mm type, with five Cardom, 107 M-1938 (PM-38), and a self-propelled 120mm Sand Cat with Spear.
Looking ahead, Azerbaijan plans to significantly increase its defense budget, aiming to reach approximately $4 billion by 2028. The country is focusing on modernizing its military capabilities, reducing reliance on imports, and enhancing domestic production. This modernization effort includes acquiring new defense systems, such as missile defense systems and light attack aircraft, and upgrading existing hardware through partnerships with countries like Turkey. Azerbaijan’s strategy is aimed at maintaining a military advantage amid unresolved disputes with Armenia, particularly concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh region and border demarcations.
On the other hand, Armenia has also increased its defense spending, allocating $1.4 billion for 2024. This marks a substantial rise compared to previous years, although it still remains lower than Azerbaijan’s projected defense budget. Armenia’s focus is primarily on territorial defense, acquiring modern weapons systems from countries like India and France to strengthen its military capacity. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed concerns over what he perceives as Azerbaijan’s preparation for more extensive military operations, citing recent incidents along the border and Azerbaijan’s rejection of peace proposals related to border delimitation.
The DITA 155mm self-propelled howitzer, developed by Excalibur Army, is a modern artillery system emphasizing automation and mobility. It features a fully automated superstructure and operates with a minimal crew of two (a driver and a commander) due to its advanced automation systems. The howitzer is equipped with a NATO-standard 155mm L45 gun, capable of a maximum range of 39 kilometers when using high-explosive base bleed (HE BB) shells. It has a firing rate of up to six rounds per minute and a sustained rate of five rounds per minute, designed to deliver effective fire support in various operational contexts.
A notable feature of the DITA howitzer is its ability to perform Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI), where multiple shells can be fired to land on the target simultaneously. This capability is enabled by precise control over the firing sequence and trajectory, contributing to its operational efficiency. The onboard control system (OCS) of the DITA integrates several subsystems, including diagnostics, navigation, automatic gun guiding, and ammunition management, which facilitate rapid deployment and mission execution across different battlefield conditions.
Based on the Czechoslovak DANA 8×8 self-propelled howitzer, the DITA is powered by a Tatra T3C-928-90 engine with a maximum output of 300 kW, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 90 km/h on roads with a cruising range of 600 kilometers. The vehicle is capable of navigating challenging terrains, including gradients of 30 degrees, side slopes of 15 degrees, and vertical obstacles up to 470mm.
